Why Listen to Liszt?

[@InsidetheScore]

Discover more music with Apple Music Classical, the streaming service for classical music. apple.co/InsideTheScore Search for 'Liszt Essentials' or 'Liszt: Undiscovered' to hear much more of his greatest!

[@franzliszt.1811]

thanks dude

[@micheasz2552]

Liszt is so criminally underestimated. He was one of the most innovative composers in history, meanwhile almost everyone remembers him as ,,funni hard piano composer"

[@elricky1996]

Agreed!

[@composerjalen]

Exactly! Have you ever noticed that all of Liszt's haters criticise him for empty showmanship? They don't even know the man they insult!

[@amogus-vc4lm]

@@composerjalen >listens to hr2 on repeat >"liszt is just show off" >doesn't check anything under 5 million views lmao they're straight up brainless...

[@perlarsson9101]

Word!

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

@@composerjalen and there is genius in even showmanship. The second section (the friska) of that piece by him which everyone knows, the 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody, is in its entirety a bunch of perfect cadences all over again, not to mention 99% of the time the same perfect cadence: C# major to F# minor/major. Yet he manages to keep it interesting. That is impressive.

[@detectivekeaton4718]

Liszt's work is some of the most versatile and inventive in the entire genre: Works as dynamic as Beethoven, as romantic as Chopin, as proto-impressionistic as you'd ever see in the era and borderline atonal stuff in his later works. His Fantasies & Reminiscences in particular absolutely push the boundaries of what can be done with transcription and reimagination of other composers works. The absolute pinnacle of pianism and my personal favourite composer

[@Arobamod]

Beautifully said

[@BillAnt]

Liszt is definitely up there with the great masters.

[@aguilarrojasoctavio4402]

Liszt is overlooked by the most general audience but as you go deeper on classical music the veredict becomes clear: he´s simply the greatest

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

What by him can you recommend me, a first time listener of him?

[@Arobamod]

@@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers Probably the Sonata in B minor, arguably his best work Edit: listen to Zimerman’s version

[@mrplatink]

Liszt's father for the WIN! To understand that moving to Vienna will be for the betterment of your son's talents and to pack up and leave to do just that takes tremendous dedication and fidelity to one's family future!

[@jeffreyjeziorski1480]

Right on. Mozart would not be who he was if not fir his father, musician, teacher, entrepreneur. Imagine having Bach as your father and you showed talent.

[@gergelykiss]

@@jeffreyjeziorski1480 Are you being ironic? :) Four of Bach's children became successful composers. CPE Bach's music is quite often performed even today.

[@jeffreyjeziorski1480]

@@gergelykiss no, not ironic. I am aware of the multi generation of musicians and composers in the Bach lineage. CPE Bach and KPE Bach are the most talented sons of "the old wig". I know that Mozart met with one of the boys in London or Paris and considered him to be the most talented composer he had heard of. I just did not remember which of the 2 Bach boys it was. I also know that in between the Baroque and rhe Classical era was the Roccoco period. One of these Bach boys was considered very good in that style. I just did not look it up before making my comment. So, not ironic. Just condensed.

[@gergelykiss]

@@jeffreyjeziorski1480 oh, cool, i never knew that Mozart met one of Bach's kids! Cheers!

[@ZaidPhyre]

I was looking for this comment. What a great dad.

[@Mike2infinity]

Liszt childhood encounter with Beethoven should have been mentioned since it was his most cherished memory as he only told it his closest confidants of the encounter. His admiration of Beethoven was such that Liszt funded statues and memorials of his hero across Europe and in the later part of his life transcribed Beethoven’s symphonies into piano. Not to mention Liszt’s joyous playing of Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata. Beethoven to the young Liszt: "Go! You are one of the fortunate ones! For you will give joy and happiness to many other people! There is nothing better or finer!". This was, as we can imagine, a major event in Liszt's life since Beethoven was arguably the greatest musician alive at the time. He told this encounter "in a tone of deepest emotion, with tears in his eyes and a warm note of happiness", describes Ilka Horowitz-Barnay. Liszt was 64 years old when he shared this moment and ended up with this statement: "This event in my life has remained my greatest pride, the palladium of my whole career as an artist. I tell it but very seldom and only to good friends!".

[@robbes7rh]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful anecdote. It’s invaluable to understanding the man behind the legend. It also shows us a side of Beethoven that may get overlooked in the popular imagination of a brooding artist haunted by unhappiness. Clearly he had a capacity for joy and generosity of spirit.

[@lvbdevinelove2329]

I'm so grateful and fascinated by every word you wrote about Liszt and Beethoven. Thank you for sharing

[@tj-co9go]

Indeed, it is a fantastic story. It is also almost certainly false. Liszt was far too young and Beethoven was already deaf, reclusive and unlikely to have met him. The whole story of Liszts' meeting reeks of romantic embellishment and narcissim

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

It's not so unlikely. Liszt was 13 at the time and a pupil of Czerny. And Czerny was Beethoven's pupil and friend. So it is definately not out of the question that Czerny introduced them to each other. But, yes there are some scholars that doubt the whole story and think it was just Liszt spinning a tall-tale. I personally think it did happen, just what Beethoven said to Liszt is probably made up by Liszt. In reality the man probably gave him a pat on the head and tried to be friendly, because he could hear so little, and then shoved him out of the door and then gave Czerny an earful. ;)@@tj-co9go

[@franzliszt.1811]

always loved beethoven

[@ikatsumii]

His grave is like a hundret meters away from my house and it feels kind of surreal. His music inspired me in so many ways. He was a real superstar.

[@colinmcquail442]

Where , please tell is his burial place

[@ikatsumii]

@@colinmcquail442 His grave is in Bayreuth, Germany. His former house is now a museum.

[@gazelleman08]

Consolation no. 3 remains one of the single most moving listening experiences I've ever had. It captures such a particular and hard to describe sense of melancholy and beauty that makes it uniquely special

[@Ace-dv5ce]

It has emotion to it, I believe it was written the year Chopin died and it sound like one of his pieces I can’t remember which one I think it’s a nocturne. Yes, Nocturne no 8 in d flat major: that’s the one

[@ricklannis6244]

Consolation no. 2 is so good too!

[@davetinoco]

It is the greatest composition in history IMHO

[@gazelleman08]

Someone should do a video on it! 🤔🧐

[@fullmetta2764]

It's very beautiful and accessible, surprised it hasn't shown up in an advertisement of some kind.

[@jhf1495]

I read an old biography about Liszt after I discovered him last year. I was shocked, I never heard anyone play the piano like Liszt did. I asked myself, is this even a piano anymore or is this just magic? After reading the biography, I fully understood how much of a genius he really was. I think he might be one of humanity’s greatest musicians

[@danielchequer5842]

Reading an old lizst biography at my conservatoire was what really got me hyped for the piano. When ilI entered the conservatoire I liked piano music, but after I've read Lizst's biography I fell in love with music

[@Lmi109]

Link to the book?

[@deecee6780]

@@Lmi109 (2)

[@rogerevans9666]

People have said that Nyiregyhazi was a re-incarnated Liszt. No one else played the piano like Mr. N, except maybe Liszt himself.

[@mazeppa1231]

I would love to read that old biography.

[@zeinmrshd3037]

There's still a lot to mention, like his relationship with wagner or the schumanns, his piano sonata, his transcriptions, a bit more of dive in his harmony and a lot more. We could use a second video, even though I doubt that can happen since that isn't the direction of the series, well, doesn't hurt to hope.

[@mrdoctormole]

Agreed. The Beethoven symphonies for solo piano are stunningly impressive, as is Liszt's Bugs Bunny impersonation.

[@smeetsnoud1]

Also his work as a teacher! He taught basically a whole new generation.

[@SuperTicklemonsters]

Yeah an in depth look at the war of the romantics would be very interesting!

[@Simonjose7258]

We're they all gay!? Werk!

[@luciancrosby6331]

agreed, this video was fantastic but i couldnt help thinking that a video on liszt that doesnt mention the piano sonata is ridiculous

[@RonSwansonIsMyGod]

The later era Liszt is pretty much my favorite of the romantic era. Especially the piano music. I love the sound of that stuff that straddles that razor's edge of tonality and atonality. Nuages Gris, La Lagubra Gondola, the 17th Hung. Rhap. is my favorite of the set.

[@kpokpojiji]

I'll second everything you said!

[@Danny-pd9yb]

By the way everyone say Happy Birthday to Franz Liszt🎉🎉🎉

[@MiScusi69]

*Lugubre

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Yes... actually, despite Bartok, Prokofiev, Debussy, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky et al... there is nothing that comes close to those late Liszt works. They are desperate, resigned, yet full of the devil's virtuosity, and the awareness of the space of outer space. The daring, the brutality, the stripped-down harmonic experimentation is astonishing, almost like the early days of the creation of computer code.

[@FredHMusic-gr7nu]

The B Minor Sonata, Dante Sonata, Faust Symphony and Dante Symphony blew my 16 year old mind like no other music I’ve heard before or since! I will never get over the fact that an actual human being created those works! Long live that legend!

[@noahgrimmer5095]

Listened to Faust symphony for the first time yesterday. Can confidently say I will be listening to Liszt for many years to come.

[@m.moonsie]

B Minor Sonata blew your 16 year old mind?

[@franzliszt.1811]

thanks man

[@insulini]

He is one of the greatest inspirations any pianist can get, not only musically, but as a person. He still has the record for the biggest private donation in Hungary, when he raised an industrial amount of money to help people affected by an inundation. Also, he was humble enough to financially support many of his contemporaries (especially Wagner), pushing forward the entire musical world and recognising the mastery of others. He invented the recital as we know it today. He was one of the first rockstars. Man, he's such a great example to follow: a genius professional and a generous soul.

[@gergelykiss]

While there is plenty of useful information in this video regarding the life and works of Liszt and why it is worthwhile listening to his music, there are a few inaccuracies I believe are worth revisiting: - Liszt never had bad press as a pianist, once he returned to playing the piano after a hiatus following his father's death, he was praised as either one of the finest pianists out there or the outright undisputed heavy-weight champion. By the time Heine coined "Lisztomania" he had been an international superstar for 6-7 years (and he was a star in France before then). - His piano recitals were never devoted exclusively to virtuosic works - he would always program some Beethoven, Hummel, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann (sometimes even Bach and Scarlatti) in his concerts. He famously gave the first performance of the Hammerklavier in Paris in 1836 - after which Berlioz called him the musician of the future in his review. - Liszt never got married, he tried really hard to marry Princess Sayn-Wittgenstein, but after years of promises to the contrary, the Vatican never granted the annulment of her previous marriage, so it fell through on their supposed-to-be wedding day. - the Revolutionary Symphony was never completed, one movement-sketch was transformed and expanded to be the symphonic poem Heroide funébre. - His departure from Weimar was not inspired by religion, though it did result in the creation of his most substantial religious works and him taking on a more religious image. He left Weimar because he felt his presence would hurt the prospects of the many young composers who were in his circle there. He received generally harsh reviews as a composer at the time (unlike his fortunes as a pianist), and he feared his protégés would be tainted by association.

[@gerry30]

Just to correct the correction, According to Liszt biographer Alan Walker, The annulment decree for Princess Caroline was actually eventually granted and they still never married. If I had to guess, the Princess probably lied about something concerning her marriage and Liszt being devout was not going to make the sacrament into a sacrilege.

[@gergelykiss]

@@gerry30 Thanks for the info, that's new to me! I thought the story was that Carolyne received a 'temporary' annulment of her previous marriage, but that annulment was revoked by the Pope himself the day before the wedding was to take place - a decision which was taken after serious lobbying efforts by the Tsar and her influential ex-husband.

[@gerry30]

@@gergelykiss No problem. I was surprised by that little tidbit as well. I think Walker put it in"Reflections on Liszt" his appendix book to his biography series. He includes a copy of the original documents and speculates as to what the reasoning was. He quotes Liszt when Liszt was questioned about it, as stating something like "The heart knows mysteries that the mind can't understand...blah, blah blah..." It was vague and avoided the question, Liszt would have been too classy to throw the Princess under the bus if he was the one that cut the cord because she wasn't being upright in the annulment investigation.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

It's too bad the he and Marie D'Agoult did not manage to keep their relationship. Princess Caroline, as much as we owe her for encouraging him to become mainly a composer instead of a touring pianist, was not exactly the best influence in his life.

[@loganmoon380]

​@Quotenwagnerianer one cannot say that d'agoult was the greatest influence either. Art is ultimately a task for the individual, so I would say that it is unecessary to attribute importance to the specificities of his romantic life

[@FLStelth]

I never studied music but was exposed to classical by my dad. He never played any Liszt, but I somehow found his music on my own. He's been my favorite composer ever since then.

[@illusion6633]

Liszt scholarship only got a kick-start in the late 20th century, hence while there's a lot of primary sources the field had a lot left desired, a lot to fill in. Many people focus on his virtuosity, but Liszt spent a greater portion of his musical life engaging in other activities from Weimar onwards. About the man himself, the character consistent across all sources is a musician who sought to use his art to raise up others, and Liszt was just a very very helpful human being all around, as much as you could possibly get (in a nutshell that guy had extreme characteristics in everything, which makes his personality unusually sharp and contrasted, just like a Rembrant painting). That he was also conventionally attractive, a superstar and a charmer of sorts is true but doesn't detract from this, and it was such a brief period in his life anyway? Another important fact: he saved Wagner after the Dresden revolts and provided him with encouragement and support, up to the day Liszt died from catching a fatal cold on his way to Bayreuth to stage Wagner festivals. I wish this video talked more about this relationship, instead of the usuals. As a supplement to this video (and Nahre Sol's) There are videos of Liszt pupils on KZbin. There's even one of Lamond talking about Liszt. For the already-Lisztian, you can also read Friedheim's and Lachmund's and Fay's memoirs, if books are your jam.

[@Koffelbourg1]

And also to read is his biography (in 3 volumes!!) by Alan Walker, which is as complete as it gets

[@markrymanowski719]

@@Koffelbourg1 Thanks for mentioning the Liszt biography. Not heard of it. I've always thought of Liszt as a wizard. Unique amongst composers.

[@zbraswell92]

One of my favorite composers. Passionate, edgy, genius, & innovative. Liszt inspired me to learn the piano...

[@Itibitydetsku]

That's a reasone why he is my favorite composer.

[@m.moonsie]

Nothing compared to Rachmaninoff. Rach is just a thousand kilometers ahead from Liszt in terms of composition. In terms of skills, all of them are on the same level.

[@e.l.2734]

@@m.moonsie then I wonder why Liszt is the one who always has me in tears and forgetting to breathe. 🤷 To no demerit of Rach, to me Liszt doesn't need to change a thing.

[@BBB-hi4hc]

I’m so happy you did Liszt. Need to spread more goodness for Liszt

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Liszt is a genius. Thank you for this video on my birthday, Oscar.

[@alexhamilton9758]

The most generous artist who ever lived, in addition to ground-breaking brilliance and innovation.

[@franzitaduz]

Very happy to find this video honoring the composer and human being that was a beacon for my career for so long. I focused on the vocal art in song and oratorio that bloomed after the Weimar years and after five years of research self produced a CD of his songs, those of his mentors and students recorded in the castle where he frequently performed. Since the evolution of the piano in the 19th century also was influenced by Liszt , seven instruments were used to mirror the compositions included. It won an award to my surprise, but even more of a shock is how many journalists in interviews never knew he wrote so many art songs. It was the dream experience of a lifetime, and led me to understand more of this man who, through his pursuit of God, chose to venture beyond musical conventions. His unfinished opera was a better understanding of the Bel Canto and romantic traditions that were going to yield to the next century . More than anything his humility and honest fervor to support other artists, including women composers ,demonstrated a man of pure devotion to the legacy of music. A great gift in an even greater human being. Thanks for this video.

[@gogpoydi]

I feel like Lizst is underrated as a composer. a lot of people overlook him because he's mostly famous for his virtuosity

[@ashtray8092]

Honestly his compositions are just amazing and full of different emotions not just hard

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

His music survived for over 100 years and people still talk about him. How is he underrated? "I feel like" that's what people usually say when they don't know anything, so they have to feel it.

[@gogpoydi]

@@mcmarkmarkson7115 He's underrated as a composer but rated as a pianist. Many people just view his music as flashy. And I believe his music survived do to the sheer difficulty of it.

[@gogpoydi]

Only musicians talk about him

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

@@gogpoydi I'm not a musician and I doubt most people in here are either.

[@robbes7rh]

Great video. I didn’t know or had forgotten so much of this. What a truly remarkable life Franz Liszt lived. Being taught by no less than Carl Czerny is almost like inheriting the mantle of Beethoven. His father, ever so looking out for his son’s music oriented best interests arranges for the boy to study composition with the renowned opera composer Antonio Salieri (who was not a mediocre talent burning with envy and resentment). Flamboyant and impassioned, he embodied the Romantic era rubbing elbows with and being inspired by the likes of Hector Berlioz and Paganini - and he possessed the requisite talent and technical ability to incorporate such influences convincingly into the great cathedral of his own musical imagination. Perhaps no one better than he to create piano reductions of the Beethoven symphonies nos. 1-8 (the ninth was a bridge too far, even for him.)

[@michaelrobinson9023]

Liszt's long life, and the creativity of his later works, makes me all the more painfully curious of what Chopin or Schumann might have composed.

[@music-by1ou]

Don't forget Scriabin, Schubert and Mozart!

[@TheSummoner]

Props for the restraint showed in avoiding dumb yet alluring wordplays with the words "listen" and "Liszt"!

[@thenotsookayguy]

I'm sure it took every gram of his willpower he had to refrain from such.

[@cchavezjr7]

Aside for his own compositions, he truly worked hard to promote the music of his contemporaries and friends. His transcriptions gave the works of other composers a new audience and life.

[@Henri.d.Olivoir]

Yes! I love Liszt! I hope we can have one of Chopin soon!

[@NotSilent_]

I think everyone needs to listen to his B minor sonata, his pelerinage sets (personal favorites are Dante sonata and benediction de la solitude), and his consolations or 2nd ballade.

[@iliketurtles5180]

The petrach sonnets are also good :)

[@zeteny8092]

At 1:52 the piece being played in the background is Rákóczi March which is Hungarian music. The two are often confused, because they had influenced each other a lot.

[@pangranacik7011]

Liszt will always remain my favorite.

[@Itibitydetsku]

Gigachad

[@abderxd1345]

Finally about Liszt ❤️🥺

[@dav_e3544]

Yes, finally my favourite composer. Great series ❤️

[@user-gp3hv9fz2d]

My favorite composer, the great Liszt.. some of his pieces are the eabsolute definition of music, like Benediction de dieu dans la solitude, Un sospiro, the 3 liebestraume, Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth, les jeaux d'eau a la villa d'este, the 3rd consolation, the 1st Aparrition, and the 3 Sonnets, especially no.47, his Nuits d'etes a Pausilippe, especially the 2nd part.... so beautiful pieces being full of feelings, lots of expression and so melodical. Liszt, in some of his pieces, clearly had put - probably unintentionally - the basis for impressionism, as well. He could easily be described as the pre-impressionistic romantic.

[@bboyo8307]

What is ur favourite transcendental etude ?

[@user-gp3hv9fz2d]

@@bboyo8307 Number 11

[@Jasongy827]

I’ve been listening to Liszt as I started to expand my classical music. This was many decades ago, but in terms to degree, Liszt, is to me epitome of rock star concert pianist, and a innovator.

[@dunkleosteus430]

I love Liebestraum. I love La Campanella. I love Faust Symphony. I love Un Sospiro. I love Liszt.

[@ciabhannahbaic670]

I read Franz Liszt's biography while at university many years ago. Fascinating life story and amazing music. Thanks for the refresher.

[@medicropper]

I had no idea anyone would need to make a video explaining to people why they need to listen to Liszt. He is in my top 3 piano composers of all time.

[@oxoelfoxo]

it's a good intro for those (like myself) who may know of him but don't really listen to his work

[@kasajizo8963]

Because a vast amount of people don't like Liszt. This video is important.

[@MichaelSlovin]

I've always looked at Liszt's symphonic works as art criticism in musical form. He is not just drawing inspiration from these poems and pictures, but commenting upon them, often quite deeply. A few inaccuracies aside, great video. I'm glad Liszt is finally receiving some recognition on the platform.

[@oxoelfoxo]

what inaccuracies?

[@MichaelSlovin]

@@oxoelfoxo Well the biggest one i remember off top is that Liszt never married. Attempts were certainly made, though.

[@most_sane_piano_enthusiast]

It is said, that he sightread Grieg's piano concerto perfectly FROM THE MANUSCRIPT.

[@preblalar8798]

As he also did with Chopins etudes and Henselt's concerto on a rehersal with orchestra. Madness. He also sightread Griegs violin sonata without ever having heard it. Both the piano part and the violin part, and throwing in a bit of improvisation here and there. Grieg later wrote of the event: "Now you must bear in mind, in the first place, that he had never seen or heard the sonata, and in the second place that it was a sonata with a violin part, now above, now below, independent of the pianoforte part. And what does Liszt do? He plays the whole thing, root and branch, violin and piano, nay, more, for he played fuller, more broadly. The violin got its due right in the middle of the piano part. He was literally over the whole piano at once, without missing a note, and how he did play! With grandeur, beauty, genius, unique comprehension. I think I laughed - laughed like an idiot” (EDVARD GRIEG quoted by H.T. Finck in Grieg and His Music).

[@unrealrailway1592]

I discovered Mahler through you, and went to see Rattle and the LSO perform his 2nd symphony at the proms as a result this year with my family; it was magical! I also owe my understanding of sonata form to you, and have found a far greater appreciation of music I had never truly appreciated on more than a superficial level. I shall certainly listen to more Liszt henceforth. Could you do a Vaughan Williams video please? Your videos always prove insightful. Anyway, thank you for your videos, keep up the good work!

[@eriksatieofficiel]

My favorite composer ever.

[@Itibitydetsku]

Your favorite composer ever **has a Satie profile photo**

[@eriksatieofficiel]

@@Itibitydetsku And you didn't even check my channel

[@Skytechslayer]

You should make one about Chopin life, his music has so much emotions and really speaks to you

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

Nice condensed presentation on Liszt. The love and appreciation of Liszt has been a part of my entire life. My 95 year mother studied piano (when a young girl)

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

With one of Liszt last students.

[@thelostgenius1212]

@@anthonydecarvalho652 Wow! It is a chance that she also met Ervin Nyiregyhazi?

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

@@thelostgenius1212 Oh my goodness, i just found out that he died in Los Angeles 1987. We lived there for twenty years and never met him. My mother returned to Portugal after my father died 1982. She studied with Josè vianna da Motta.

[@thelostgenius1212]

@@anthonydecarvalho652 that is INSANE sir!!! But obviously,Ervin was a recluse most of his life.

[@thelostgenius1212]

@@anthonydecarvalho652 I had the chance to meet him personally multiple times

[@RadAntelope]

0:18-0:19 - CORRECTION - The audio incorrectly identifies a pic of Schumann as Schubert. ;-)

[@thiagorocha2516]

Liszt was so amazing. And your video is awesome too!! Great production to show the history of a great pianist.

[@eugeniochorbadjian1380]

Just saw the thumbnail and came to reply ; beacause he was one of the greatest masters of composition and an excellent piano player.

[@georgefloros501]

We should also mention the importance of Liszt’s organ works.Especially the fantasia and fugue is as good as his sonata!

[@drgonzosfear]

I love me some Liszt. Every so often I’ll have it in the background and when it turns into that reality bending piano it trips me out hard

[@ripleyhrgiger4669]

Liszt is my favorite composer of all time and I absolutely adore all of his music.

[@Itibitydetsku]

Same

[@epitome_importance5804]

I started listening to classical music when you did "14 pieces" And up until this day Liszt is my favourite And I am sooo glad you had one of his pieces in that course

[@joepalooka2145]

Why listen to Liszt? Because he is a towering figure in music history, and because he wrote what Vladimir Horowitz called "the greatest work for piano ever written"------ his solo piano transcriptions of Beethoven's Nine Symphonies. I have spent many years with these fantastic works, and find it curious that they are not as well known as they should be. Everyone knows Beethoven's symphonies for obvious reasons, because are so commonly played by every orchestra around the world. But Liszt's piano transcriptions are so beautifully composed that if you are a Beethoven fan, you will only appreciate him even more.

[@hunt3r36]

All my life I've wanted to be a "composer", an OPERA composer to be specific. I have ALWAYS loved VERDI and tried to be him. Of course I could not be. Along "my way" I encountered Liszt and like VERDI, he became my "other" favorite. To keep it short, I have been mesmorized by Liszt's music and when I listen to it, I just want to either burn or rip my own. His life was as colorful and beautiful as his music. LONG LIVE THE GRAND MAESTRO FRANZ LISZT!

[@jacqueshardin4601]

This is good. Liszt is a personal favorite of mine because of the sheer virtuosity and dynamics of his work. By the way, I think you should do some videos on Baroque period composers like Rameau, Corelli, Cherubini, and others because I think people only think of Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach. Not that those in the latter are lacking, far from it. I just think there is more to explore in that period of music.

[@JBuddis]

Cherubini is not a baroque composer, though.

[@jacqueshardin4601]

@@JBuddis Whoops, my bad. I did that because he was born 1760. I thought everything before 1800 was Baroque, but apparently there was a period called Galante which marked the transition from Baroque to Classical. And Cherubini was born on early Classical. I guess that proves my point that the Baroque (or any pre-classical) era is not as understood as the later eras of music.

[@BenjaminAnderson21]

@@jacqueshardin4601 The classical era essentially ended with the premiere of Beethoven's 9th symphony in 1824. If the Classical period began in 1800 then it would only have lasted for 20-something years, and niether Mozart or Haydn would be considered Classical composers but Baroque ones, as Mozart died before 1800 and Haydn died in 1809.

[@Boston_Bob]

I love this "Why you should listen to" series. I would love if you were to do one on Dvorak someday

[@ivanbarna6470]

Beautiful video, would like to see one about Rachmanninov.

[@augusti7621]

Just listen to "Jeux d'eau a la villa d'este" 😩 the most beautiful music ever written for piano....

[@leomenz9]

these videos are so well made, its sad that they are so underrated

[@zeeschelp]

When you said he moved to Vienna... I don't want to make a pun but it sounds so romantic. Classical music really is divine. Also, because of this video i realise how important historical context is when listening to composers. Thank you for your great content.

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

It’s time we acknowledge the fact that Liszt was the greatest composer of the Romantic era and the first impressionist composer

[@BenjaminAnderson21]

I can accept him being the first impressionist, but it's incredibly bold to say he's the greatest romantic composer when Brahms, Chopin, Mahler, and even Rachmoninoff exist.

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

@@BenjaminAnderson21 Chopin? He's not even close to Liszt. We're talking about Liszt, a composer who literally invented the Symphonic poem. He was *the* progressive composer of the 19th century: His Faust symphony begins with a (maybe even the first) 12-tone row, his Sursum Corda has a whole-tone row, he wrote multiple pieces with unresolved endings (like Nuages Gris, the 17th Rhapsody or the fourth Valse oubliee), parallel fifths (Csardas Macabre), and foreshadowed a lot of the tonal language of the 20th century. His orchestral writing heavily influenced Wagner. When it comes to piano writing and the art of transcribing works for the piano, Liszt is unsurpassable; just take a look at his Beethoven symphony transcriptions or his Symphonique Fantastique piano transcription. Rachmaninoff and Mahler as 20th century composers aren't even really eligible for the position of "greatest Romantic". Brahms is the only other composer who can be called that, but he was of course more of an Musical Conservative/Absolutist and rejected the Neue Deutsche Schule. Both have a lot in common and are also direct contradictions of each other simultaneously. That being said, the Romantic era was a lot more about expression and innovation (and less about tradition) which Liszt personifies like no other composer in this period. Way too many people remember him only as a crazy talented concert virtuoso, but he was so much more than just that. His skills as a composer are criminally underrated. Liszt absolutely deserves the respect that is usually given to the composers you mentioned: Liszt should be the first name that comes to mind when talking about the greatest of the Romantic composers.

[@Lycoriste]

@@user-fu7zf4ck9z Personally I’d say Chopin is more romantic and poetic compared to Liszt.

[@BenjaminAnderson21]

@@user-fu7zf4ck9z Mahler and Rach do stretch into the 20th century, yes, but there's no denying still very much are Romantics, with Mahler's symphonies being the culmination (athough, depending in who you ask, maybe not quite the pinnacle) of Romanticism and Rach being the very last great composer to keep the tradition alive. As for Brams, sure, he is a little less decidedly Romantic compared to others of the era, but there really isn't any other category you could put him into other than overly specific ones (like the Musical Conservative and Absolutist ones you mentioned). While I suppose Chopin's limited style does arguably bring his compositional superiority to Lizst into question, I'd say it depends on what you're looking for in a "good" composer. Both were incredibly innovative in their own ways, with Chopin focusing more on emotion and poetic beauty and Liszt focusing more on technicality and progressive, unique style. Of course Liszt composed for more than just solo piano whereas Chopin rarely composed anything but that, but there's a reason Chopin's piano works are among the most significant in the instrument's entire reperitore. And of course, Brahms, Mahler, Rach and Chopin aren't the only greats of the Romantic era that could be considered greater composers than Liszt; Shumann, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and several others have also created huge masterworks of their own, despite some of them having spotty output at times (Tchaik in particular could easily flit between writing only "good" peices and nothing more, to some of the absolute greatest musical works of all time)

[@iliketurtles5180]

@@Lycoriste Liszt also was literally everything too though, from seductive to chaotic and wild.

[@Dusa_Piano]

Why listen to Liszt? Because bro was a genius. Bro made melodies with gazillions of notes. Bro makes pianists cry when sight reading, practicing, playing, and listening.

[@AshishXiangyiKumar]

Sonata

[@BBB-hi4hc]

Hi legend

[@composerjalen]

Nuff said

[@jshoover2199]

These videos are incredible! Your enthusiasm is infectious and I am more excited after watching your videos. Thank you so much!!!

[@essengeebee]

I heard that the reason Liszt turned the piano sideways for recitals was so the top board would reflect the sound towards the audience.

[@Lee_music249]

The exuberance in your voice inspires me to write! 👍

[@CoveredInPiano]

Every composer brings something unique to the table. For me Chopin is manic, Beethoven is incredibly emotional, Mozart is just Mozart, Bach is like listening to maths, Rachmaninoff is ordered chaos, Liszt is like trying a fusion food you never tried before. When it comes to piano pieces, no other composers has made me re-think or re-evaluate the role of left and right hands more than Liszt has done.

[@cixoushenri]

The analogy comparing his music to fusion food is well done. His music is like those foreign foods you've never heard or seen before. At first glance, the foods are weird or even outright disgusting that you hesitate to eat. The first bite was underwhelming but it leaves an interesting aftertaste in your mouth that couldn't resist taking a second bite, or even a third bite. Then you realise how scrumptious his music is that you couldn't help yourself. That's how his music is to me. It grows on you

[@gayle5049]

I respect his music and bought a Liszt CD a while ago. Music is beautiful.

[@cutedukeplays5065]

Thank you for these videos!!!

[@Blueskies2513]

my top 3 favorite classical songs are Prelude (rachmainoff) very foreboding and depressing and it is very good for a horror type atmosphere Paladio (jenkins) the way it slowly ascends from piano to forte and switches from minor to major at the end is just amazing and Love Dream (liszt) an absolutely beautiful masterpiece that never gets old

[@5xdasG]

He's definitely on my list...

[@Itibitydetsku]

On your Liszt you mean.

[@nyseoul]

My favorite composer!!! Liszt is a beast

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

1:54 What do you mean by 'vulger gypsy' music ?

[@tsz5868]

Thank you guys. Lizt is now in my list

[@Joshua-bu4mv]

I love ❤️ Liszt ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@petta0616]

my first time listening to liszt was actually back in 2018, when i finally got gran turismo sport for my ps4, the intro featured liebestraume, i immediately fell in love with it, still my favorite piece of music of all time.

[@mgraysonhay]

Simply put, you could give us a Liszt of reasons why. 🤪 Great video as always!

[@gato.branco]

I am grateful that I was presented to this virtuous pianist 2 decades ago.

[@connorhlane]

Enormous Liszt of geniuses

[@משחקניטוס]

Great as always

[@CygnusTheSilly]

Because he's really good *credits*

[@Hailey_Paige_1937]

True. 😂

[@highestsettings]

Ha! That illustration with the adoring crowd during his solo performance was used by my music teacher to demonstrate how composers of the Romantic period were sort of like the rock stars of today, and then you make the comparison to Elvis and Beatlemania. That brought back some memories.

[@tanja5867]

His compositions were pure genius. He would have written some fantastic scores for movies. I never realized Symphonie Fantastique served as such an inspiration for him-that is my favourite symphony. Try as I might, most of Liszt’s piano music is far too hard for me to play…

[@AlekseyMaksimovichPeshkov]

1:53 wow what painting is that? Its very strange and wonderful to see an old painting that portrays people with actual angular features once in a while

[@alinstoi]

Amazing work, as always 👍

[@revan552]

While I'm no philosophic Romantic myself, I can't argue with the music the movement produced. Magnificent!

[@marijntenvelde8106]

Listened to Heriode funebre right after this video, and its first phrases immediately reminded me of Tristan's prelude to act 3

[@andy_mir]

This is amazing! And you are so passionate! Didn't expect such an exciting journey when I clicked on the video.

[@iCrimsonKing]

I fucking love liszt!! Thats all im gonna say

[@navneetkaushik2482]

Please don't ever stop making these videos.

[@crewelocoman5b161]

One of the greatest figures of the Nineteenth Century. A volatile romantic, sometimes a bundle of contradictions, some thought he was in league with the devil, as was said of Paganini, and later in life he took minor orders in the Catholic Church. He championed a forgotten composer such as J.S. Bach, a neglected composer such as Schubert and an esoteric like late Beethoven. Liszt's arrangement of Beethoven's Symphonies is legion. The greatest pianist of all time.

[@BarnieSnyman]

While we are all in awe of Liszt's music, can we just pause for a moment and appreciate Liszt's father's dedication to his son, so much so that he moved their family to another country (twice!) for the sake of his son's education?

[@rizzochuenringe669]

Moving from (then) Western Hungary to Vienna was not changing to an different country. He was still in Austria. Liszt's birthplace Raiding is in Austria today, just 100 km South of Vienna.

[@gwaynebrouwn844]

“Chopin, Schubert….” *Shows Schumann*

[@bd3531]

Ikr

[@capezyo]

Excellent, thank you...

[@_Kalfy]

Liszt is just unique, his music diverges completely to the other's. That is why he is not in the list of the best composers, he doesn't have to cause of his versatility.

[@MaxPospelkov]

Thank you very much for such an interesting and passionate story about the great pianist and composer!

[@aaronpeta]

Lifelong fan of Liszt. I consider him on par with Mozart and Beethoven. Baffled as to why this is not a universal viewpoint as it's glaringly apparent when listening to much of his music.

[@terrormilk384]

one of the things that really explained the utter crazyness and birlliance of liszt's pieces to me was that he grew up on a street where a lot of gipsy music was played, i come from a gipsy family and you immediatly understand the influence

[@spytihnev4080]

Would you make similiar video about Dvořák?

[@artiemixx9319]

Once again, you've produced a terrific video. Why am I not surprised?

[@babyskunkcat]

liszt is my favorite 🤗🤗

[@dayveon1554]

My orchestra class is playing the Angelus for strings. And it’s my favorite piece that we’ve played all year. From the quiet and kinda of lullaby aspect to the loud and almost giant and like an is empire crumbling. I think more people should listen to Liszt

[@myklkay]

Carl Czerny introduced him to Beethoven when he was 11 : he played for him and was congratulated. In his house in Weimar, the portrait of Beethoven is still hanging on the wall. Brahms was never the successor to Beethoven : Liszt is.

[@danielchequer5842]

Are you talking about that story of Lizst performing beethoven live and then the man himself personally going upstage and congratulating him? If so, than this story is almost certainly made up

[@michaelpiano3876]

@@danielchequer5842 No. He did play live but Beethoven didn't attent. Despite the fact that he hated child prodigies and refused to meet them, Czerny insisted and introduced Liszt to him in Beethoven's flat : he played a piece by Ries, a C minor Fugue from WTC (which he transposed in another key on the spot at Beethoven's request), and ended by the first movement of Beethoven's concerto (the first one) in C major. He was also 11 a the time.