The Fifth Hungarian Rhapsody, published in 1853, emerged from several earlier versions. The double character indicated in the sobriquet “Héroïde élégiaque” is based on the two contrary themes: a “heroic” theme in minor and an “elegiac” theme in major, seasoned with characteristics of Liszt’s “style hongrois” such as augmented seconds and sharp dotted rhythms. Thanks to the slow tempo, No. 5 is one of Liszt’s less difficult rhapsodies and thus offers a wonderful introduction to these musical remi...