Franz Liszt to Countess D'Agoult

Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811 - July 31, 1886), born in Raiding, Hungary, was a Hungarian-born child prodigy who grew up to become one of the most influential composers of the 19th century.

By the age of six he was displaying exceptional musical ability. He gave his first concert at the age of 9, and by 11 had published his first piano piece and performed in Vienna before some of Europe's most eminent musicians.

Liszt took Paris by storm with his virtuoso performances. Works such as the Piano Sonata in B and the Dante Symphony made him one of the most influential composers of his era.

It was during these years in Paris that Liszt met the young and beautiful Countess Marie D'Agoult. She was unhappily married and in a separation. She fell madly in love with Liszt. Eventually, they became a couple.

A man of strong religious feeling, passion, and intelligence, Liszt retired to Rome in 1861, and joined the Franciscan order in 1865. From 1869 onwards Abbe Liszt divided his time between Rome and Weimar, where during the summer months he continued to receive pupils gratis. From 1876 up until his death at Bayreuth on July 31, 1886, he also taught for several months every year at the Hungarian Conservatoire of Budapest.

December 1834

Marie! Marie!

Oh let me repeat that name a hundred times,
a thousand times over;
for three days now it has lived within me, oppressed me,
set me afire.
I am not writing to you, no, I am close beside you.

I see you,
I hear you...
Eternity in your arms...Heaven, hell,
all is within you and even more than all...
Oh! Leave me free to rave in my delirium.
Mean, cautious, narrow reality is no longer enough for me.
We must live out lives to the full,
our loves, our sorrow...!
Oh! you believe me capable of
self-sacrifice, chastity, temperance
and piety, do you not?
But let no more be said of this...
it is for you to question, to draw conclusions,
to save me as you see fit.
Let me be mad, senseless
since you can do nothing, nothing
at all for me.
It is good for me to speak to you now.
This is to be! To be!!!