Publisher's Synopsis
Franz Liszt has long been written about from the perspectives of his own life, relationships, and accomplishments, especially as composer and performer. What, however, of his complex legacy? Liszt influenced many of his contemporaries as well as subsequent generations of musicians, critics, and scholars. Among others, he exerted a profound influence on Arnold Schoenberg, and Liszt's legacy extended throughout the twentieth century to North America and, more recently, to China. And we are still in the process of sorting out and understanding the legacies of the past and his times that influenced Liszt and his work, whether the thought of Lamartine, traditions of improvisation and transcription, the "paradox" of Hungary's Gypsy music, and mid-nineteenth century German politics. In collaboration with Michael Saffle, James Deaville of Carleton University has assembled a collection of essays devoted to these subjects as well as operatic aspects of the symphonic works, Liszt and theories of "degenerate genius," and Liszt in Hollywood film. An appendix includes studies of Liszt's documentary legacy. Profusely illustrated with musical examples and documentary facsimiles.
