Franz Liszt: The Virtuoso Years, 1811–1847

This is simply the standard of Liszt biography. The fact that Alan Walker researched enough to fill three volumes is an achievement enough, but you know what else makes this biography so good? It's fun to read. Without a doubt, anyone interested in Liszt will find anecdotes, insights, illuminated facts, and even musical analysis of the most colorful and exciting character in classical music: Franz Liszt.I've read this book twice, actually, and the second time was even more enjoyable. This owes to many things: Alan Walker's superb writing style, eloquent organization (gives the pedantics many footnotes to absorb at the bottom of the page) and a fine cohesion of thoughts and ideas put into each chapter. Sometimes I can't help but enjoy the biography as I would a novel. Yet Walker does not write it like a novel and clearly sets out to chronicle Liszt's life from his youth all the way to his retiring from the concert stage. In between these pivotal times, Walker manages to debunk myths, explore Liszt's underrated music from his virtuoso days, and examine other characters who interacted with the Hungarian composer. Walker is always focused on Liszt but never detracts by discussing Clara and Robert Schumann's reactions, or Sigismond Thalberg, Chopin and even Alkan. Walker depicts their perspective of Liszt and goes on to explain why there were so many misunderstandings.Stories of Liszt's true meeting with Beethoven, his exciting romance with Marie D'Agoult, the duel with Thalberg, his generous nature to play for charity, and so many enticing stories of his concert days all help to shed light on what a remarkable man Liszt was, and at such a young age, too. The whole book is an exquisite panorama of Liszt's character, detailed through his letters, his travels, his music, and his legacy as researched by the author. What Walker has done is set the standard for the way Liszt should be viewed in the history books. For so long, musicologists were almost feeding us false information. From the really low ones we were even getting propaganda that he was a womanizer, a cheat, some kind of vulgar pianist, and even a fraud. Walker candidly mauls those old and incorrect views into the dust; he explores and accurately dispels the myths and ignorance that so many people harbored and still harbor for him, and for that I feel thankful.Never have I read a biography twice like this and found the second reading even more engrossing. There is never a dull moment, never a chapter that slows down. To be fair, the only chapter that was uninteresting was the prologue and biographical information of Liszt's family. Despite that, once you're absorbed into Liszt's young world with Czerny, his move to Paris, and his tours all over Europe, it's like being on a rollercoaster ride during the whole book.Bottom line: Liszt lovers must read this book; it's the best wealth of knowledge to get on the young Franz Liszt and it is written in a way that doesn't just educate, but also entertains. Highly recommended.

This book(s) is written in a way that is biographical and entertaining. It has little nuanced stories and interesting characters that Liszt grew up around. I got a real "feel" for his life. I found this to be easy reading and didn't have to go back and re-read passages. Well... most of the time! It made me appreciate what's really important in ones life. Thanks Alan.

This book is thoroughly researched and even with all the meticulous details, It is fascinating to read.

One of the most captivating books I have ever read. A titanic work of research and a spellbinding read. The life of Liszt is something of a "lost tale" in the modern world and we are almost shocked to rediscover that he was indeed the most famous person alive in his day. He lived an astonishing, charmed life of a kind that is seldom seen. We are also reminded that he composed 6 times as much piano music as Beethoven - much of which, though seldom heard, is remarkable. The strongest impression I was left with however was that much of his music is so infernally difficult to play as intended, that his status as a composer has suffered. It's as much as most pianists can do to "survive" to the end of the piece, let alone draw forth what the composer intended. Studying both the scores and this volume side by side, one is left wondering how far beyond the playing of all other pianists might Liszt's have been...

Alan Walker is the ultimate expert Liszt biographer. Better read by someone musically inclined, as I am not, but Bravo!

Not only did the book arrive promptly (three days), but the condition was even better than expected from the vendor's description. As to the book itself, it is among the best biographies I've read, richly connecting the events of Liszt's life with the cultural history of his era.

This biography is a great read, it's not dry or too factual like other biographies and reads more like a novel! Extremely detailed but still entertaining, this is a great look into the fantastic life of the virtuoso!

If you are a musician, primarily a pianist, this first volume is for you. It will enrich your knowledge of our greatest pianist ever and at the same time establish events according to history thus eliminating any wrong misconceptions about Franz Liszt. You will discover his genius but with only one flaw, you are hooked and wished it didn't end. But then there is Volume II, don't miss it!

This is from encyclopedic three volume work on Liszt. Not only easy read but also essential for anyone interested in Ferenc List and his times.

A grand assiduity into the life of Franz Liszt and his atmospheres, written luculent and grandiloquently.

C'est probablement la meilleure biographie de Liszt. L'auteur a fait œuvre d'historien en vérifiant toutes ses assertions. Il décrit la vie compliquée de ce grand musicien comme virtuose du piano puis comme compositeur. Et il survole ses œuvres particulièrement nombreuses.La vie de Liszt est agitée. il a connut de nombreuses femmes auxquelles il a fait des enfants. Sa longue liaison avec Marie d'Agout se termine dans la haine.il change souvent de résidence et a connu pratiquement tous les écrivains et compositeurs de son époque. En particulier Wagner qu'il va aider financièrement plusieurs fois et qui épousera une de ses filles.Ce livre un pavé en trois tomes mais qui se lit comme un roman policier.On y apprends beaucoup de choses sur ce 19ème siècle si riche en grands esprits et l'intérêt ne faiblit jamais.il faut ajouter qu'il a été traduit en français.À lire absolument.

This is without question the best biography of Franz Liszt. It was thoroughly researched over a 25-year period. It was written in an engaging manner and does not gloss over any details. The table of contents was written in the informative old-school manner. The footnotes are helpfully located on the pages where they are referenced, rather than at the end of the book. Everything about this book is outstanding. You might think that three volumes are a lot to read, but they are pure enjoyment. This shows the painstaking work that the author brought to this book in writing in a manner that invites you into the 19th century life of Franz Liszt.