Description
Book SynopsisFranz Liszt is well known for his early years as ''super-star'' pianist who excited audiences throughout Europe, but his later life is also of great interest. In his final 25 years he sought to achieve his life''s aims of promoting new forms of music and giving stronger witness to his Christian faith, while continuing to support his stalwart life partner Princess Carolyne. However, he was to face unexpected problems in the continued negative reception of his music and recrimination in his closest relationship.Drawing on detailed analysis of Liszt''s correspondence from his fiftieth year onwards, Peter G. Coleman approaches his later life as a case study of an older person grappling with a succession of often disturbing life experiences. These included the deaths of two of his children, political upheaval and war within Europe, and a growing realisation of his own past failings. Liszt suffered frequent bouts of depression but never ceased composing music nor steadfastly heeding Christ''
Trade Review'Ferenc Liszt - a man so famous in life that only a very few people really knew him, especially a number of discerning women. His avuncular relations with and generosity to his students and disciples were legion; his family relationships were very often a catalogue of opportunities missed. His deep-rooted desire to serve his God and his Church through music and in a well-lived life was a notion too esoteric for most of his male colleagues. At 50 his life circumstances changed; his self-scrutiny in an array of later correspondence is acutely probed in this wonderfully sensitive account of Liszt's final decades.' - Professor Leslie Howard, Pianist and President of The Liszt Society 'The enigmatic figure of Franz Liszt continues to baffle with the apparent inconsistencies between his spiritual and secular life. Peter Coleman, internationally renowned gerontologist, provides valuable insights into the mind, heart, and soul of the ageing Liszt through a meticulous analysis of his correspondence with family, friends and lovers. Coleman's analysis leaves us with an admiration for Liszt's passion and redeeming devotion to his music, his spiritual vocation, and to the women in his life.' - Professor Paul Wink, Wellesley College, Massachusetts. Author of Prima Donna: The Psychology of Maria Callas 'Franz Liszt emerges from this scholarly, elegantly written book as a nineteenth century prototype popular superstar. Although supremely talented as a composer and adored as a concert pianist, at the end of a long life he was preoccupied by perceived failures in relationships with women and having fallen below his religious values. Peter Coleman's account of his spiritual and biographical pain is moving and carefully empathetic. The study rests on thorough research methods and its conclusions are illumined by theories of ageing, although these aspects of the work are only briefly mentioned in the text. It is Coleman's evident love of the music and the man that shines through.' - Professor Malcolm Johnson, University of Bristol and University of Bath
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface 1. Understanding Liszt through His Correspondence 2. Psychological and Spiritual Crises in Liszt's Earlier Life 3. Liszt and His Correspondents in His Fiftieth Year (1860-61) 4. Returning to His Religious Vocation (1861-65) 5. Disappointment and Conflict (1865-71) 6. Pursuing Divergent Goals (1871-76) 7. Bearing a Heavy Burden (1876-80) 8. Through Triumph and Disaster (1881-86) 9. Seeing Liszt Whole: Music, World and Spirit Editions of Liszt's Correspondence Consulted Other References Cited Index
