Many of the late works of Liszt exist in several versions for piano solo or chamber instrumental combinations. This is one of those cases. He wrote two versions of a piano piece entitled "La lugubre gondola" by the end of 1882. An arrangement of the second version exists for cello and piano. The piece, in tempo Andante mesto non troppo lento, begins in 4/4. A four-note descending motive is three times repeated by the piano. The cello enters with a lyrical phrase, "recitando", while the piano accompanies with chromatically descending arpeggios. These two passages are repeated three times in different transpositions. The third time over, the cello plays the lyrical phrase without accompaniment. Then the cello sings the main theme with the piano accompanying in broken chords. This section is next transposed down for repetition. Then, a pianistic section in arpeggios, "Un poco meno lento" with the cello doubling the melody serves as an intermezzo for the return of the main theme, this time inscribed "appasionato", to reach a great fortissimo climax. The piece concludes with a recap of the opening material.

© All Music Guide