Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor born in 1811 in Raiding. He rose to fame in the 1830s as one of the greatest pianists of his era, known for his technical brilliance and charismatic performances across Europe. Liszt pioneered the symphonic poem and contributed significantly to the development of Romantic music, influencing generations of composers. He held positions as court conductor in Weimar and later took religious orders, becoming an abbé. His extensive catalog includes piano works such as the Hungarian Rhapsodies, the Sonata in B minor, and numerous transcriptions of orchestral pieces. Liszt also taught many prominent students and helped establish masterclasses as a teaching format.