Franz Liszt: A Chronicle of His Life in Pictures and Documents

A concert pianist and teacher based in Munich, Burger seeks to rescue Liszt (1811-1886) from those who would trivialize his music or deny him a place among the greatest composers. This invaluable documentary study splices into the biographical text 650 illustrations (many rare or hitherto unpublished) and a wealth of source documents such as letters, memoirs and reviews, along with chronologies of the fiery virtuoso's life and works. Burger clears up myths surrounding Liszt, such as the claim that Cosima ignored her father during his dying days. Through paintings, lithographs, scores, programs, photographs and cartoons, Liszt springs to life as we follow his tours as child prodigy, his relationships with women, his involvement in Saint-Simonian Christian socialism and his retirement from the concert stage at age 35 to become the most independent of Romantic composers, a lifelong exile. (Dec.)