The Benefactor - Composer

Classical Academy | Composers

 

Franz Liszt played as important a role in the history of classical music as a benefactor as he did with both his compositions and legendary performances. From Wagner to Saint-Saens, and from Grieg to Borodin, the list of musicians that benefited from his support is both extensive and diverse.

One such connection was with Hector Berlioz. Having met the composer the day before the premiere of Symphonie Fantastique,  Liszt fell in love with the piece. It was his repeated performance and transcription of the work in aid of the poverty-striken Berlioz that helped popularize it for posterity.

There were charitable projects too - when Liszt heard about the Great Fire of Hamburg that had raged for three weeks in May 1842 destroying much of the city, he gave concerts to raise funds for the thousands of people left homeless by the crisis.

On this superb recording, great American-Israeli pianist Mordecai Shehori plays Liszt's Cantique d'Amour among other beautiful works for piano by this benefactor-composer. 

Want to know how Liszt reacted when he heard that the Beethoven monument in Bonn was in peril due to lack of funds? Read our article on Lisztomania to find out.