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Franz Liszt
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Franz Liszt
Full Name and Common Aliases
Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 19th century.
Birth and Death Dates
Liszt was born on October 22, 1811, in Raiding, Hungary, and passed away on November 31, 1886, in Bayreuth, Germany.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Hungarian
Profession(s): Composer, Pianist, Conductor
Early Life and Background
Liszt was born into a musical family. His father, Adam Liszt, was an Adamite composer and his mother, Anna Maria Lager, was a former singer. From a young age, Liszt showed exceptional talent for music. He began playing the piano at the age of six and went on to study with renowned pianists and composers, including Carl Czerny in Vienna.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Liszt was known for his innovative compositions that pushed the boundaries of classical music. Some of his notable works include:
Piano Sonata in B minor (S.178): Considered one of Liszt's most technically demanding and emotionally intense pieces.
Mephisto Waltz: A symphonic poem inspired by Goethe's Faust, showcasing Liszt's mastery of musical narrative.
* Hungarian Rhapsodies: A series of 19 piano pieces that celebrate Hungarian folk music and culture.
Notable Works or Actions
Liszt was also a prolific composer of sacred music, including the oratorio "Christus" (1872-1885). He was known for his innovative use of musical themes and motifs, as well as his ability to incorporate elements from various cultures into his compositions. As a conductor, Liszt led several orchestras, including the Weimar Court Orchestra, and premiered many of his own works.
Impact and Legacy
Liszt's influence on classical music is immense. He was a pioneer in the development of symphonic poetry, a genre that combines musical themes with literary or dramatic inspiration. His compositions expanded the possibilities of classical music, incorporating elements from folk music, chromaticism, and other styles. Liszt's innovative approach to composition paved the way for future generations of composers, including Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Arnold Schoenberg.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Liszt is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking compositions that continue to inspire musicians today. His legacy extends beyond his own music to the development of classical music as a whole. As a composer, pianist, and conductor, Liszt's innovative spirit and technical mastery have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
As a quote from Liszt himself sums it up: "The more one suffers, the more he will find compassion in the hearts of men." This quote reflects his empathetic nature as both a composer and a person, which has resonated with listeners for generations.
Quotes by Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt's insights on:
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Music is never stationary; successive forms and styles are only like so many resting-places – like tents pitched and taken down again on the road to the Ideal.
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Supreme serenity still remains the Ideal of great Art. The shapes and transitory forms of life are but stages toward this Ideal, which Christ’s religion illuminates with His divine light.
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Music is the heart of life.” She speaks love; “without it, there is no possible good and with it everything is beautiful.
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I am not fond of speaking about politics because I don’t have in my possession an army of 200,000 soldiers.
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So let us not worry, and look instead as it has been taught us to do, as the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, keeping complete faith in Our Father’s goodness.
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My piano is to me what a ship is to the sailor, what a steed is to the Arab. It is the intimate personal depository of everything that stirred wildly in my brain during the most impassioned days of my youth. It was there that all my wishes, all my dreams, all my joys, and all my sorrows lay.
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The day will come when all nations amidst which the Jews are dwelling will have to raise the question of their wholesale expulsion, a question which will be one of life or death, good health or chronic disease, peaceful existence or perpetual social fever.
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