All about Franz Liszt

Answer 1

Franz Liszt, born Franz Joseph Liszt on 22 October 1811, in Sopron, Hungary, was a composer of the Romantic Era, the period of European Classical Music which encompassed the early 1800s to the beginning of the 20th century. He was a virtuoso on the piano, and his compositions were known for their fantastic technical challenges and dramatic expression. He was a generous man, performing freely and giving of his time and money to help orphans and victims of disasters. He often taught students for free.

Some of Liszt's piano compositions include the Piano Sonata in B minor, two piano concertos, and many piano transcriptions of operas, famous symphonies, and Schubert Lieder (songs). He was the creator of the concept of the symphonic poem, or tone poem, which was a piece of orchestral music in one single movement, in contrast to the standard three movements of symphonies. The tone poem was characterised by the use of extra-musical elements to provide a narrative or illustrative signature. It was commonly based on a poem, novel, painting or nationalistic ideal. Liszt's style also influenced contemporary composers such as Chopin, Berlioz, Bruckner, Mahler, Dvorak and Wagner.