Franz Liszt au Pays de Liège

Abstract

Combining information from Liszt's correspondence and contemporary newspapers, Quitin shows the virtuoso leaving to conquer Belgium in 1841. Quitin accords particular attention to Franz Liszt's «Liège» performances of 13, 19 and 24 February and 11 October 1841, and of 17 and 20 July 1842 (inauguration of the statue of Grétry), to his performance at Spa on 20 August 1845 (on his way back from the inauguration of the Beethoven monument in Bonn on 15 August), and his unscheduled participation on 28 January 1846 at the Liège Musical Society's charity concert. The difficulties aroused by the practical organization of these concerts and the reactions of the audience and of Liszt himself are evoked in a number of often unpublished documents. Similarly, in the programmes, we perceive the evolution of the virtuoso's musical concepts shortly before setting up in Weimar. Franz Liszt was not to return to Liège until 40 years later, to attend a monumental concert of his work offered to him by the Société Libre d'Émulation on 27 March 1886, and conducted by Eugène Hutoy (Liège 1844-1889). The triumphantly successful performance of his Messe de Gran was a prelude to its triumph in Paris on 25 March. 17 and 20 July 1842 (inauguration of the statue of Grétry), to his performance at Spa on 20 August 1845 (on his way back from the inauguration of the Beethoven monument in Bonn on 15 August), and his unscheduled participation on 28 January 1846 at the Liège Musical Society's charity concert. The difficulties aroused by the practical organization of these concerts and the reactions of the audience and of Liszt himself are evoked in a number of often unpublished documents. Similarly, in the programmes, we perceive the evolution of the virtuoso's musical concepts shortly before setting up in Weimar. Franz Liszt was not to return to Liège until 40 years later, to attend a monumental concert of his work offered to him by the Société Libre d'Émulation on 27 March 1886, and conducted by Eugène Hutoy (Liège 1844-1889). The triumphantly successful performance of his Messe de Gran was a prelude to its triumph in Paris on 25 March.