Légende
Instrumental piece of epic-lyrical character based on a legend of a saint or of folklore.
What it means
In the 19th century, légende became a favored title for a narrative, often solemn and lyrical instrumental piece whose mood or program draws on a legend of a saint or of folklore. The title implies no fixed musical form; it describes a narrative character rather than a specific structure.
Musical use
Well-known examples include piano or orchestral pieces referring to specific legendary subjects, such as Liszt's piano pieces on legends of Saint Francis. The légende should be distinguished from the ballade, which is more strongly narrative and tied to a firmer structure, and from the program piece in general, which does not require a legendary subject.
Performance practice
Shape a légende with attention to its narrative, often calm and solemn tone, and to the dynamic contrasts that bring out the individual episodes of the underlying story.