Thought by many to be the finest of Liszt's symphonic poems, Hunnenschlacht (Battle of the Huns) (1857) was inspired by the sight of Friedrich August von Kaulbach's gigantic mural depicting the battle of Chalons, in 451, which the Roman army, commanded by Flavius Aetius, defeated the Huns. As Rome, ruled at that time by Emperor Valentinian III, was a Christian state, the victory over the Huns became known as a great Christian triumph. Liszt's musical setting is in two parts: the first is an extraordinarily pictorial depiction of the battle itself, the second, a kind of commentary, based on the chorale Crux Fidelis, on the conflict.

The opening section of Hunnenschlacht must be heard to be believed, so dynamic and forceful is the representation of the battle, famed as one of the most ferocious ever fought. Tremendous horn calls erupt upon a quiet string background. A massive development, in which themes representing the two opposing forces are set up one against the other, ensues, building to a tremendous climax in which the Christian themes finally triumph over the pagan ones. The organ quietly introduces the chorale theme, heard in the previous section in a number of forms; the rest of the orchestra then joins in and brings to the work to a close of colossal sonic proportions.

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