Liszt - Légende No. 2, S175 (György Cziffra)

The second piece from the numinous Deux légendes, some of Liszt’s finest examples of conjuring up natural imagery at the keyboard. Also known as “St. Francis of Paola walking on the waves“, the piece is based on the well-known story of St. Francis of Paola being turned away by the boat-man at the ferry-crossing of the Straits of Messina because he could not afford the fare. “If he is a saint,“ remarked the boatman, “let him walk.“ Whereupon St. Francis having blessed his cloak in the name of God, placed it