LISZT, FRANZ, pianist, was b. at Raiding, in Hungary, Oct. 22, 1811. His father, a functionar7 employed on the estates of prince Esterhazy, was himself possessed of some musical skill, and carefully cultivated the wonderful talent which Liszt shoived even in his infancy. In his ninth year, the child played publicly at Presburg, and excited uni versal astonishment. By the assistance of two Hungarian noblemen—counts Amadi and Sapary—Liszt was sent to Vienna, and placed under the instruction of Czerny and Salierz. He studied assiduously for eighteen months, after which be gave concerts in Vienna, Munich, and other places, with brilliant success. In 1823 he proceeded with his father to France, intending to complete his musical education at the conservatoire ; but he was refused admission on account of his being a foreigner; nevertheless, his genius made a way for itself. He played before the duke of Orleans, and very soon the elever, daring boy becrune the favorite of all Paris. Artists, scholars. high personage,s, ladies—all paid homage to his marvelous gift, and it was only owing to his father's Aria supervision that young Liszt was not entirely spoiled. In the course of the next
three years, he visited England thrice, and was warmly received. In 1827 his father died at Boulogne, and Liszt became his own master at the age of sixteen. For some years after this, his life sufficiently proved that he had become independent too soon. Alternations of dissipation and religious mysticism induced his admirers to fear that his artistic course would end in disastrous failure. Fortunately, he heard the famous vio linist, Paganini, in 1831, and was seized with a sudden ambition to become the Paganini of the piano; and one may say that on the whole he has succeeded. I.Tp till 1847 his career was a perpetual series of triumphs in all the capitals of Europe. He then grew tired of his itinerant life, and became leader of the court concerts and operas at Weimar. In 1865 he took sacred orders and became a monk, in the chapel of the Vatican, Rome; and in 1871 returned to his native country, which granted him a pension of £600 a year. In 1875 he was named director of the Hungarian academy of music. Liszt has also been an industrious and original contributor to musical literature.