The research paper elaborates on the life and work of one of the greatest pianists and composers of all time –Franz Liszt. The research paper begins with a detailed overview of the biography of Franz Liszt, continues on to the peculiar characteristics of the style period he belonged to, assesses the influence of Franz Liszt on the musical history, analyses two works of Franz Liszt in detail and, finally, comments on a CD containing works of Franz Liszt. The research paper reaches a conclusion that Franz Liszt revolutionized music performance and composition of the 19th century and in many things was far ahead of his time.
Biography
Liszt was born to Anna Liszt (née Maria Anna Lager) and Adam Liszt on October 22, 1811, in the village of Doborjсn, Austrian Empire (now Raiding, Austria). His first name in his baptism records is listed as Franciscus. He is often referred to as Ferenc (in Hungarian), though Liszt never used that name. Liszt was the son of a steward in the service of the Esterházy family, patrons of Haydn.
Adam Liszt played the piano, violin, cello and guitar. Seeing his child’s increasing interest in father’s piano playing, Adam decided to introduce Liszt to the essentials of music education. Thus, Liszt had his first music lessons at six. Liszt exhibited unbelievable talent at a young age, easily sight-reading multiple staves at once. He already played in concerts in nearby cities at the age 9. Favoured by the local high circles of society, he managed to secure a scholarship and move with family to Vienna, and later to Paris. Consequently, Liszt was never good at Hungarian, which, according to his diaries and letters, he had always very much regretted.
In Vienna he received comprehensive education in the technical domain by Carl Czerny, a student of Beethoven and Hummel, while Antonio Salieri taught him the technique of composition. Johann Nepomuk Hummel was his father’s initial choice of a teacher, but his father could not afford Hummel’s fees.
His “inauguration to life as artist”, according to the reminiscences of the pianist Ilka Horovitz-Barnay, occurred upon his meeting with Beethoven. Beethoven was told about Liszt countless times but refused to see him and hear him play for a long time. Eventually persuaded, he, upon hearing Liszt’s performance, allegedly kissed Liszt on the forehead and gave him his blessing to carry on playing and bring joy and delight to people. Liszt, Ms. Horovitz-Barnay recounts, considered this meeting to be the proudest moment of his life.
After his father's death in 1827, Liszt moved to Paris. His adolescent years were hectic and uncertain. He toured no more and, to support himself and his mother financially, gave music lessons all over Paris, covering long distances every day. Uncertain schedule had a bad influence upon his health, and it is during this time that he acquired a habit of drinking and smoking. On the other hand, his willingness to compensate for his lack of general education threw him into contact with …