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Which religious works did Franz Liszt compose during his years in Rome?

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During his years in Rome, Franz Liszt became increasingly focused on composing religious music, aiming to move away from the sentimental style of the era toward a more direct and moving form of expression.12

His major religious works from this period include:

  • Die Legende von der heiligen Elisabeth (1857–62)2
  • Christus (1855–66)12
  • Hungarian Coronation Mass (1867), written for the coronation of Emperor Francis Joseph I2

In addition to these major oratorios and masses, he composed a number of smaller sacred works. Liszt also incorporated elements of Gregorian plainsong into his compositions, though his innovative approach often faced resistance from ecclesiastical authorities. Following his personal losses and his deepening connection to the Roman Catholic Church, he took the four minor orders in 1865.2