Love the music, what about the musician - Research Paper Example

Love the music, what about the musician? One of the most sensational composers of the Romantic Era was Franz Liszt. While the 1960s experienced Beatlemania, during Liszt’s time there was Lisztomania. Even as the music between the two bands is separated by over a century and tremendous sonic elements, it’s clear that there are similar elements in the spirit of the two. Liszt’s influence remains relevant today for a number of the innovations he developed through his work. In these regards he was one of the first to develop compositions around leitmotifs rather than sweeping symphonic concepts.

Today this is reflected in the contemporary pop song, wherein poems or narratives are grouped around a small sound segment. In addition to this innovation, Liszt brought to his performances a touch of showmanship, at times motioning to the crowd. It’s perhaps these elements that created this popular attention for his music. In addition to making these revolutionary contributions to music during his lifetime, Liszt had a number of tumultuous life events that made him interesting to the general public.

In terms of birth, Liszt was from Eastern Europe and later moved to Paris, France, giving him an aura of mystery. Liszt was also indicated to have partaken in a number of amorous affairs that slightly scandalized him among the general public. His relationship with one such woman Marie d'Agoult gained considerable tabloid attention. In addition to being five years his senior, the couple had out-of-wedlock children. D’Agoult would go on to write a gossip novel about her relationship with Liszt.

Despite these elements, Liszt was recognized as being an incredibly generous individual. During Liszt’s lifetime he popularity gained him a sort of mystique that drew individuals to him in strange ways. One such example is a peculiar fascination with his ‘magical’ hands; in these regards, plaster casts were taken of his hands that have survived until the present day. With Liszt’s intriguing and tumultuous existence it should be no surprise that elements of it are reflected in his work.

This essay considers Liszt’s work on the symphonic poem ‘Tasso’ in relation to his biographical information. One of the first things one notices about the piece is that it is a symphonic poem, the structure that Liszt is renowned for revolutionizing, a feature that is perhaps reflective of his unique and forward thinking status. The work itself has been said be thematically about overcoming adversity. When one listens to the composition it’s clear that it represents a sort of subdued mode of contemplation, punctured by elements of triumph.

In these regards, one imagines Liszt being influenced by the challenges he faced traveling to France and establishing himself as a relevant and important composer. It’s also not difficult to read into the work the challenges Liszt faced later in life as he had to endure charges against his reputation because of his relationship with Marie d'Agoult. Much like Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change is Going to Come’, the symphonic poem reflects a life of challenge and hardship, that ultimately produced greatness.

References Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-3xOGwbQPM Source http://www.d-vista.com/OTHER/franzliszt.html