The Fifth Hungarian Rhapsody, published in 1853, emerged from several earlier versions. The double character indicated in the sobriquet “Héroïde élégiaque” is based on the two contrary themes: a “heroic” theme in minor and an “elegiac” theme in major, seasoned with characteristics of Liszt's “style hongrois” such as augmented seconds and sharp dotted rhythms. Thanks to the slow tempo, No. 5 is one of Liszt's less difficult rhapsodies and thus offers a wonderful introduction to these musical reminiscences of his Hungarian homeland.

Involved in this Henle Urtext edition, which also takes the autograph into account for the first time, were two eminent Liszt specialists: Mária Eckhardt provided the preface, Vincenzo Maltempo the fingerings.