Deux légendes (Liszt)

The Deux légendes (French: Two legends) are a pair of pieces for solo piano, (S.175 in the catalogue compiled by Humphrey Searle) by Franz Liszt, written in 1863.

St. François d'Assise: La prédication aux oiseaux, S.175/1 is based on a story of St. Francis of Assisi.

It is said that, one day, while Francis was travelling with some companions, they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side.

[3] St. François de Paule marchant sur les flots, S.175/2 is based on a legend of St. Francis of Paola, according to which he was refused passage by a boatman while trying to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily.

Liszt described it in a letter of 31 May 1860 to Richard Wagner: "On his outspread cloak he strides firmly, steadfastly, over the tumultuous waves - his left hand holding burning coals, his right hand giving the sign of blessing, His gaze is directed upwards, where the word 'Charitas', surrounded by an aureole, lights his way!