No. 4 in D minor "Mazeppa" / d minor "Mazeppa"

In D minor. Mazeppa is a hero who appears in the epic poem "Mazeppa" by the great French writer Victor Hugo. Although there are various theories, it is believed that Liszt, deeply impressed after reading this poem, first composed a piano piece, then revised it as a symphonic poem for orchestra in 1851, and subsequently transcribed it back for piano to be included in this set of etudes. The theme is likely the scene from Hugo's poem depicting "Mazeppa, bound to a horse and abandoned in the wilderness." The piece repeats variations interspersed with a cadenza, concluding majestically in D major. On the margin of the final chord, Liszt's own handwriting reads, "Finally it is over... but he rose again and became king," which likely expresses his joy.