Ferenc Liszt is a major figure in the music of the 19th century, and even of the 20th century in terms of his influence. His style changed several times during his long career, he left behind a vast oeuvre and built up an extensive network of contacts with the intellectual, artistic, ecclesiastical and aristocratic world. Typical of a 19th-century artist, he lived not only in music - although that is how he expressed himself - but also in literature, and spirituality touched him perhaps more than any of his contemporaries, with many writings and studies surviving in addition to his extensive correspondence. From his early childhood he was at the centre of interest - or, with some anachronisms, one might say the spotlight - and his life is therefore documented in extraordinary detail.
Perhaps his best known music is the Hungarian Rhapsodies.
Liszt's musical transcriptions have received little criticism. He tackled even the most complex orchestral works, such as Beethoven's symphonies, which he re-composed for piano (Beethoven's Symphonies).
He returned to Hungary at the age of 70, when he helped to found the Academy of Music. His former home is now a museum. Budapest airport is named after him, as he is one of the best known Hungarians.
His life can be divided into 5 phases, almost all of them spanning 15-20 years:
1. childhood (1811-1830)
2. the virtuoso years (1830-1848)
3. in Weimar (1848-1861)
4. in Rome (1861-1870)
5. the Weimar-Rome-Pest triangle (1870-1886)
See more info about Hungary: www.budapestmylove.com
Comments