56 Quotes by Franz Liszt

Real men are sadly lacking in this world, for when they are put to the test they prove worthless.

In Hungary all native music, in its origin, is divided naturally into melody destined for song or melody for the dance.

As the mother teaches her children how to express themselves in their language, so one Gypsy musician teaches the other. They have never shown any need for notation.

A theatre receives recognition through its initiative, which is indispensable for first-rate performances.

I conclude that the Wagnerian operas which are already in the repertoire, and other masterworks as well, stand in no further need of my services.

The music of the Gypsies belongs in the sphere of improvisation rather than in any other, without which it would have no power to exist.

It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me.

I did not compose my work as one might put on a church vestment... rather it sprung from the truly fervent faith of my heart, such as I have felt it since my childhood.

We need improvement in the style of performance. There is no more advantage in a musician who plays and conducts than in one who is only a beater of rhythm.