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Franz Liszt -- was taught the piano by his father and
then Czerny (Vienna, 1822-3), establishing himself as a remarkable
concert artist by the age of 12. In Paris he studied theory and
composition with Reicha and Paer; he wrote an opera and bravura
piano pieces and undertook tours in France, Switzerland and England
before ill-health and religious doubt made him reassess his career.
Intellectual growth came through literature, and the urge to
create through hearing opera and especially Paganini, whose spectacular
effects Liszt eagerly transferred to the piano in original works
and operatic fantasias. Meanwhile he gave lessons and began his
stormy relationship (1833-44) with the (married) Countess Marie
d'Agoult. They lived in Switzerland and Italy and had three children. |
