Franz Liszt, Composer and Virtuoso Pianist
He was probably the 19th century’s greatest pianist
Franz Liszt (1811–86) was one of the major composers of the 19th century and certainly its greatest pianist. As no recordings exist of Liszt at the keyboard it is not possible to say whether his skills have ever been exceeded, but contemporary accounts of his performances suggest that he should rank highly on any list (pardon the pun) of all-time greats.
Franz (or Ferencz to use his Hungarian name) Liszt was born at Raiding near Sopron in Hungary on 22nd October 1811. His father Adam was in the service of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, who until 1790 had been the patron of Joseph Haydn. One of Adam’s functions was to play the cello in the court orchestra at the Prince’s Hungarian palace at Esterhaza.
Adam recognised Franz’s musical ability very early and gave him piano lessons from the age of seven. Only two years later Franz was giving public concerts, after which (in 1821) a group of wealthy Hungarians sponsored him to go to Vienna, with his whole family, and receive a proper musical education in both performance and composition. While in Vienna Franz gave more concerts and met Beethoven and Schubert.
In 1823, the Liszt family moved to Paris, but Franz was refused admission to the Conservatoire because he was not…