She makes an impression of icy coldness and at the same time of tropical heat the pride of Lucifer to the world in general!” During the last sixteen years of Liszt’s life, he wrote no less than 400 letters to Baroness Olga, who shared his interests, although not always his views, on a broad field of disciplines ranging from music, philosophy, theology, politics, and literature.
I have often seen her at Liszt’s matinees, and from what I hear of her, she is such a type of woman as I suppose only exists in Europe. Liszt’s American student Amy Fay writes, “This haughty countess has always had a great fascination for me, because she looks like a woman who has a history. Olga quickly found refuge in Liszt’s arms and for the next sixteen years they frequently traveled together. Liszt’s daughter Cosima described Baroness Olga von Meyendorff as “unfortunately very unpleasant, disdainful and arrogant.” Olga had been the wife of the Russian ambassador to the Court of Weimar, but he unexpectedly died after less than a year in office. Four Harmonies are prefaced by direct quotations from the poetry, including the “Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude.”įranz Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, “Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude” (Brigitte Engerer, piano) Liszt eventually disavowed this first effort to express Lamartine in music, and restructured the harmonies into a cycle of ten pieces. The Lamartine family and Franz Liszt became good friends, and Liszt’s first truly original composition, the Harmonies poétiques et religieuses bears the exact Lamartine literary title. But then he discovered the French poet and politician Alphonse de Lamartine, who had achieved unparalleled popularity with his first volume of poetry, the Méditations poétiques.
At the age of 20, Liszt made a meager living giving private piano lessons, and he tried his hands at original compositions. As she famously quipped, “Liszt gives me the impression of being a spoilt child.” Only a decade earlier, Liszt had lavished in obscurity in Paris, having outgrown his career as a dazzling child prodigy of the piano. Liszt apparently denied Clara’s request for tickets for her father, and although she continued to admire his virtuosity, Clara did not agree with his public image.
Liszt strongly supported Robert and Clara in their legal battle to get married, but some misunderstandings soured the relationship. His attitude at the piano cannot be described, his passion knows no limits, and he has a great spirit.” Delighted by the glowing endorsement of a fellow pianist, Liszt dedicated his Six Etudes d’exécution transcendante d’après Paganini to Clara. He arouses fright and astonishment, though he is a very lovable artist. “He can be compared to no other virtuoso,” she writes.
Clara first heard Franz Liszt in concert in Vienna, and she was flabbergasted. And for a time that included Clara Wieck. And as you might well imagine, an extended circle of friends, wannabe friends, groupies, and socialites constantly fluttered around him like moths to a flame. In the end, the only person Franz ever really loved, was the reflection of himself he had created. However, this notoriety also created uncertainty, as Franz was never sure that he was, in fact, truly liked or loved. Franz Liszt was the greatest piano virtuoso of his time possibly the greatest of all time! His sensational technique and captivating concert personality turned him into the ultimate rock star of the 19th century.
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