Classical Masterpieces Of All Times - Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811- July 31, 1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist and teacher. Liszt became renowned throughout Europe for his great skill as a performer. During the 1800s, many considered him to be the greatest pianist in history. He was also an important and influential composer, a notable piano teacher, a conductor who contributed significantly to the modern development of the art, and a benefactor to other composers and performers, notably Richard Wagner and Hector Berlioz. He left behind a huge and diverse body of work in which he influenced his forward looking contemporaries and anticipated 20th century ideas and trends. Some of his most notable contributions were the invention of the symphonic poem, developing the concept of the thematic transformation as part of his experiments in musical form and making radical departures in harmony.

After 1842, "Lisztomania" swept across Europe. The reception Liszt enjoyed as a result can only be described as hysterical. Women fought over his silk handkerchiefs and velvet gloves, which they ripped to shreds as souvenirs. Helping fuel this atmosphere was the artist's mesmeric personality and stage presence.