How Did Franz Lizt Impact The World

Although Franz Liszt lived and died many years ago, his legacy continues to impact the world. Many people have heard this pianist and composer’s work, but don’t even know it. Perhaps, his most widely heard piece is Bavarian Rhapsody #2, which is featured in many cartoons and watched by millions of people all over the world. However, he was and continues to be one of history’s greatest and most original piano virtuosos.

Liszt was born in Raiding, Hungary (now Austria) on October 22, 1811. His father, a secretary for Prince Nicholas Esterhazy of Hungary, was also an amature muscian who played cello among many other instruments. After Franz showed interest in the piano at the age of four or five, his father provided him with music lessons.
They then travelled to Paris so that Franz could enroll in the Paris Conservatory, but was denied admittance because he was a foreigner. This is a shame, because musical genius does not conform to political borders; it can manifest in anyone, anywhere. Undaunted, his father sought the tutelage of Ferdinando Paer for his son so that he might learn advanced composition. By age 14, Franz was performing concerts in England, Paris and Switzerland; however, all the performing exhausted poor Franz and he became sickly. Franz and his father travelled to Boulogne, France so they could relax by the ocean and take sea baths; however, Franz’s father contracted typhoid fever and died there. Franz was only 15 years
He supported himself by teaching private piano lessons to wealthy patrons and he fell in love with one of his students. In 1828, one of his students was the young Comtesse Marie d'Agoult. They were in love, but Marie’s father wouldn’t approve of the attachment. Again, Franz became ill and with no Father to guide him, Franz temporarily abandoned the piano. In March 1831, Liszt heard Niccolo Paganini play for the first time and Franz was inspired by Paganini’s virtuoso technique. By age 23, Franz Liszt composed a solo piano piece called, Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, based on a collection of poems by Lamartine. Around this time, Franz met Marie de Flavigny, countess d’Agoult, a writer known for her role in and descriptions of Parisian society. They lived together for many years and had three children together. By 1839, Franz returned to his career as a piano virtuoso and for the next eight years Liszt traveled all over Europe, giving concerts in countries as far and wide such as Ireland, Portugal, Turkey, and Russia. Liszt’s brilliance and success were at their peak during these years as a virtuoso. Everywhere he was received with great adulation and gifts showered on