No. 9 in E-flat Major, "Carnival of Pest"

Pest refers to the Pest part of present-day Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Unlike Buda, which is located on hills to the west across the Danube River, Pest to the east was a flat plain and an economically developed town. Carnival is a Christian festival (primarily in Catholic regions) held before Lent (46 days before Easter). Its main event is a large-scale costumed procession, and this work is thought to depict such an atmosphere.

The relatively moderate first half, which begins with Moderato, differs from the slow Lassan music, with the emphasis of the piece placed on the Finale and the subsequent Presto section. The fanfare-like opening resembles a trumpet announcing the start of a costumed procession.

Although it has a two-part structure of slow and fast sections, it exhibits aspects that differ slightly from other two-part structures in the Gypsy style.

Dedicated to H.W. Ernst.

Dedicated to the violinist Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst.