Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Donizetti Operatic Reminiscences and Transcriptions

Finally the Fantasy from "Lucrezia Borgia" … this non plus ultra of difficulties aroused astonishment and admiration in the large audience. The enthusiastic applause this time could not persuade Liszt to play an encore.
Dr K–, Allgemeine Wiener Musik-Zeitung, 26 March 1846

Born at Raiding, in Hungary, in 1811, the son of Adam Liszt, a steward in the service of Haydn's former patrons, the Esterházy Princes, Franz Liszt had early encouragement from members of the Hungarian nobility, allowing him in 1822 to go to Vienna, for lessons with Czerny and a famous meeting with Beethoven. From there he moved to Paris, where Cherubini refused him admission to the Conservatoire, as a foreigner. Nevertheless he was able to impress audiences by his perform