A unique piano recital, arranged as a palindrome with an encore, unites a diverse range of works. These include short-lived pieces, more enduring compositions, occasional works, and arrangements, which are now often better known than the original versions in which Liszt first published them.
The student song "Gaudeamus igitur" was traditionally associated with academic celebrations. Liszt used this theme in the music for the dramatic dialogue "A Hundred Years Ago" and in other compositions. The paraphrase on "Gaudeamus igitur" was written for an unspecified occasion and exemplifies Liszt's expressive paraphrases. Its entertainment value is undeniable, even if it is not among his masterpieces. Later, Liszt created the "Gaudeamus igitur" humorous piece, which has a more serious tone. This work, written in 1870 for the University of Jena, takes up motifs from the first piece and expands them into a large-scale musical language. There is also a version for piano duet and one for solo piano.
Three Italian arrangements by composers with very different styles are particularly noteworthy. F. Pezzini, based in Tivoli, met Liszt at the Villa d’Este. Giuseppe Donizetti, Kapellmeister in Istanbul, composed the Grande Marche for the Sultan's accession to the throne, which Liszt also arranged in his own version. Works by Pier Adolfo Tirindelli were transcribed by Liszt; the Seconda Mazurka is considered especially rare and significant.
Liszt also arranged well-known songs such as "Le Rossignol" by Alexander Alyabiev and "Galop russe" by Konstantin Bulhakov. A comparison between the original versions and the revised versions clearly illustrates the differences. Liszt's original compositions, including marches and a nocturne, demonstrate a development toward larger and more expressive forms.
Liszt likely never expected the original version of his Ballade No. 2 to be published. The later version, completed with a rapid coda, underscores Liszt's compositional genius. The original coda was published, but without the necessary abridgment for a reconstruction of the original text.