Born on October 22, 1811, pioneering Hungarian Romantic composer, teacher, conductor and pianist—the most celebrated piano virtuoso of the 19th century—Franz Liszt was renowned for his staggering technical ability, with which he fundamentally transformed piano performance and composition in ways that would revolutionize the classical music world structurally, conceptually, and harmonically. Among his innovations, he invented the concept of the solo piano recital, choosing to perform entirely from memory and positioning the grand piano sideways so audiences could see his hands. As a composer for orchestra, he would move the music beyond strict classical structures, inventing the "symphonic poem"—an orchestral piece inspired by a poem, painting, or literary work. His music—especially the late works—ventured into bold, experimental territory, utilizing advanced chromaticism that directly anticipated the atonal music of the 20th century, and he pioneered the modern masterclass format, teaching generations of pupils in Weimar usually without ever charging a fee.
We don't know what book he has in his hand in the photograph above, but we can make a guess. Liszt was also one of the best read of composers of his time, and it is widely known that he always keep three books at his side at all times: his book of Common Prayer (after all, this classical prototype of our modern day "rockstar" almost at one point gave up music to become a priest), his copy of Dante's Divine Comedy, and his copy of the literary classic of Goethe that would inspire the epic musical masterwork with which we'll celebrate his birthday on Thursday: A Faust Symphony. We'll hear that as well as several of his great works for solo piano, and more, Thursday afternoon.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
