Analysis of expressive elements in the Dante Sonata

The present document is a reflection upon Liszt's most important piece, the Dante Sonata from the cycle Années de Pèlerinage. It represents the pinnacle achievement of the Italian Years and it is considered one of the most difficult pieces to play from the standard repertoire. It ranges from virtuosic, brilliant passages to sincerely moving emotional statements. Liszt's musical maturity can be seen evolving through this masterpiece by observing its innovative harmonic structure and formal conception.