FRANZ LISZT (1811 - 1986)

The Hungarian virtuoso Liszt has been called the greatest pianist of all times. He was certainly the greatest transcriber in the history of western music, (eg. all Beethoven symphonies arranged for piano etc., etc.,) and his achievements were by any standards extraordinary. He invented the piano 'recital' as we know it, and was largely responsible for creating the tradition of performing from memory. It would probably take a lifetime in itself for someone to even copy the notes of Liszt's oeuvre, let alone create them, and so one must have complete admiration for the remerkable energy and productivity of his genius.

As a young lad Liszt was kissed on the forehead by Beethoven. He was taught byBeethoven's pupil Czerny. whilst Salieri gave him help in composition. Liszt's attitude to technique was radically changed after he heard Paganni perform, and in his efforts to emulate the demonic Italian violinist he transformed piano playing into a transcendental art. His six 'Paganini' Etudes, (including 'La Campanella') were directly inspired by Paganini's music.

Liszt was as famous nd notorious in his lifetime as many pop stars are today. He was subjected to much negative publicity, some unfair, and it all made him more famous. Until 1849 he toured virtually the entire continent of Europe, playing the entire repertoire as it then existed. He had a phenomenal technique, infallible memory, a remarkable gift for extemporisation, and 'star quality'. Schumann said that he had 'never found any artist except Paganini to possessin so high a degree this power ofsubjecting, elevating and leading the public. 'It is an instantaneous variety of wildness, tenderness, boldness and airy grace'.

After 1849 Liszt retired from extensive concertising, choosing to live in Weimar where he composed many of his greatest works, inventing a new form aloneg the way, (the'Symphonic Poem' for orchestra). The Sonata in B minor dates from Liszt's years in Weimar.

Liszt was always far too generous to unknown and/or up and coming pianists and composers. He was a great supporter of Richard Wagner, (and indeed his daughter Cosima was to become Wagner's wife), and the number of pianists who visited him to take part in his celebrated masterclasses was considerable. They came from as far off as the Americas. His last pupil was the Scottish pianist Frederick Lamond, (died 1945)

Murray McLachlan