13 Quotes & Sayings By Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was born in Raiding, Hungary (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). He came from a family of musicians, and at the age of 6 he began to learn piano at the local church organ school. After receiving his musical education in Vienna (1831–36), he studied composition with Leopold von Lederers at the Vienna Conservatory (1836–39). By 1839, Franz entered the service of Prince Felix Lichnowsky Read more

From 1840 to 1847 he devoted himself to composition, but did not achieve any major success. He wrote many piano compositions, but it was not until 1848 that he became successful both as a pianist and composer. His first concert was presented in that year.

By then he had already composed more than 300 works, including symphonies, concertos for violin, flute, clarinet, and violin, operas and song cycles, masses and motets. His style was marked by his admiration for Beethoven and Schubert. He was one of the first composers to use musical sketches to prepare his own scores for performance.

1
Music is the heart of life." She speaks love; "without it, there is no possible good and with it everything is beautiful. Franz Liszt
2
Brahms' Variations are better than mine, but mine were written before his. Franz Liszt
3
Music embodies feeling without forcing it to contend and combine with thought, as it is forced in most arts and especially in the art of words. Franz Liszt
4
Sorrowful and great is the artist's destiny. Franz Liszt
5
It is impossible to imagine a more complete fusion with nature than that of the Gypsy. Franz Liszt
6
The character of instrumental music... lets the emotions radiate and shine in their own character without presuming to display them as real or imaginary representations. Franz Liszt
7
The music of the Gypsies belongs in the sphere of improvisation rather than in any other, without which it would have no power to exist. Franz Liszt
8
Supreme serenity still remains the Ideal of great Art. The shapes and transitory forms of life are but stages toward this Ideal, which Christ's religion illuminates with His divine light. Franz Liszt
9
Beware of missing chances otherwise it may be altogether too late some day. Franz Liszt
10
Truth is a great flirt. Franz Liszt
11
Life is only a long and bitter suicide, and faith alone can transform this suicide into a sacrifice. Franz Liszt
12
Mournful and yet grand is the destiny of the artist. Franz Liszt