Notturno No. 3 (Liebestraum)

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3. First Cadenza (Measures 24 – 25)

Like most of Liszt’s cadenzas, this one is written without bar lines and with small noteheads. This notation does not mean that it should be played as fast as possible and without rhythmic structure. Rather, the small noteheads suggest a lightness of touch, while the absence of bar lines invites a more improvisational approach to the tempo. The passage is in fact still in 6/4 and can be played in virtually the same tempo as the rest of the piece, though with a bit more rhythmic freedom (In fact, the hairpin marks can be taken to mean not only crescendo...