Life of Liszt


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

The Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer, Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886), is still regarded as one of the greatest classical musicians of all time. A few words from the author’s preface will introduce this elucidating volume. “In contrast with our practice in the previous biographies, let us, this time, as the master has also done in his greatest oratorio, disclose the life of the hero in his deeds, which display themselves before us in regular succession. First of all appears his early youth with its incomprehensible virtuosity. . . .Still further, there appears in its wonderful versatility his active sympathy with all the momentous intellectual questions of the time and of humanity. . . . Then comes the crown of all, the latest and grandest work he has accomplished, the renovation of church music. . . . In a sketch of such a richly exuberant life it is essential that we fail not to recognize the personality of this genius in his creations as ‘Master.’” - Summary by Larry Wilson (4 hr 6 min)

Chapters

Prefaces 5:38 Read by Larry Wilson
Les Preludes 33:13 Read by valroth
Divertissements Hongrois 32:07 Read by Chuck Lavazzi
Capriccioso 18:37 Read by Chuck Lavazzi
Impromptu 18:24 Read by Michael Fassio
Reflexions 28:00 Read by Chuck Lavazzi
Harmonies Poetiques 9:34 Read by Bob Bodie
Consolation 15:13 Read by hearmeout7
Harmonies Religieuses 16:25 Read by Chuck Lavazzi
Prometheus 39:57 Read by C. B. Seyfarth
Appendix: A Letter from Liszt’s Father 6:20 Read by C. B. Seyfarth
Appendix: Liszt's One Opera 6:34 Read by C. B. Seyfarth
Appendix: Bihary / The Hungarian Gypsy Music 7:03 Read by Chuck Lavazzi
Appendix: Heine on Liszt / A Letter from Berlioz to Liszt / Hesse’s Criticism o… 9:38 Read by Andrew Mauls Byron