No. 2: "St. Francis of Paola Walking on the Waves"

Saint Francis of Paola (1426-1507) shares the same name as the saint in the first piece, but they are different individuals, active more than two centuries apart. Many miracles are attributed to this Saint Francis as well, but among them, the legend depicted in "St. Francis of Paola Walking on the Waves" is particularly well-known. It tells of the saint, refused passage by a ferryman due to his apparent poverty, walking across the Strait of Messina between mainland Italy and Sicily, a miracle that has served as inspiration for many painters. The preface to the first edition states that Liszt was inspired by a linear drawing by Eduard von Steinle (1810-1886), which he owned at his home during his Weimar period.  

The piece, marked Andante maestoso, begins with a unison introduction in the lower register, followed by the majestic singing of the E major main theme, accompanied by the bass. Following the violent undulations of the bass tremolo, symbolizing the rough waves of the strait, sharp, piercing chromatic ascents repeatedly surge forward. After finally overcoming this dark and prolonged ordeal, a divine main theme awaits. The coda, marked Lento, temporarily takes on a recitative-like character, but as the unison of the introduction quietly returns, it finally reaches a glorious fff with a majestic arpeggio. It is a dramatic sonic art born from Liszt's religious inspiration.