The Five Hungarian Folksongs (German: Fünf Ungarische Volkslieder), S. 245, are five short piano pieces by Franz Liszt, composed and first published in 1873. The works are arrangements of authentic Hungarian folk tunes (sources include Kornél Ábrányi’s collections) and form a concise, intimate cycle representative of Liszt’s late-period interest in national song. 

First publication and editions

The set was composed and published in 1873 (originally issued in Budapest). The pieces appear in modern critical editions (Neue Liszt-Ausgabe / Editio Musica Budapest). 

Movements / sections

1. Csak titokban akartalak szeretni — I Wanted to Love You Only in Secret — D major

2. Jaj beh szennyes az a maga kendője — Oh, How Dirty Is That Handkerchief of Yours — G major

3. Beh szomorú ez az élet én nékem — Ah, How Sad This Life Is for Me — G major

4. Beh! sok falut, beh! sok várost bejártam — Alas! I Have Traveled Through Many Villages and Many Towns — C♯ minor

5. Erdő, erdő, sűrű erdő árnyában — Forest, Forest, In the Shade of the Dense Forest — F minor

Character and reception

Unlike Liszt’s large, virtuosic Hungarian Rhapsodies, the Five Hungarian Folksongs are intimate arrangements that preserve the simplicity and lyricism of their source melodies; they have been recorded and included in modern complete-works editions and recital programs.