Orpheus (Liszt)

[2] Orpheus is one of four symphonic poems Liszt composed as character sketches of men of creative genius, heroism or legend.

By introducing civilised laws, the Orpheus of this nine-volume work leads humanity into the modern age; this was intended by Ballanche to provide a new philosophy for all of Europe.

Harpist Jeanne Pohl, one of the new virtuoso players brought to Weimar by Liszt to augment the court orchestra, inspired the composer to pen these effects.

Combined with the closing theme of the second group, this ends the work as a cryptic vision which recalls the final moments of Ballanche's story.

There the story's narrator, Thamyris, witnesses Orpheus disappearing into the clouds, leaving mankind the task of developing his teachings of civilisation.