To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Liszt’s birth, this new format title (2 CDs + 50,000 word biography) explores the fascinating world of LIZST: HIS LIFE AND MUSIC.

Perhaps the greatest pianist who has ever lived, Liszt was one of the titanic musical figures of the Romantic age. Abandoning his spectacular career as a travelling virtuoso in his mid-thirties, this passionate lover and fond father dedicated himself instead to a life of composing, conducting, teaching and, increasingly, religious devotion, eventually taking minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church. This biography explores an enthralling life lived for long periods in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the composer’s native Hungary – a kaleidoscope of cultural worlds whose folk music, literature and landscapes richly coloured Liszt’s own music.

The 2 CDs feature music spanning Liszt’s career, and the free website www.naxosaudiobooks/lisztlifeandmusic offers hours of extra music and other bonus material.

Artists

Kemal Gekić, Oxana Yablonskaya, Paolo Crivellaro, Radio Svizzera Choir, Lugano and Diego Fasolis, Jenö Jandó (piano), William Wolfram, Philip Thomson, Alexandre Dossin, Furio Zanasi, Ulrich Rausch, Furio Zanasi (baritone), Arnaldo Cohen (piano), Lugano, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Diego Fasolis, Michael Halász