Franz Liszt

1811 - 1886

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Liszt once said that he wanted to do for the piano what Paginini had done for the Violin. More than any other composer and performer, Liszt pushed the instrument to new boundaries, spurring on the development of the piano in the 19th century. Known for virtuosic, loud, difficult passages, Liszt is often thought of as the piano player who heralded in a new age of triple-forte for the piano; incidentally, Bösendorfer Pianos became famous for constructing a piano that could withstand Liszt's fury at the keyboard.

Liszt concentrated on expanding all forms of piano technique, exploiting every possible sonority. Liszt exploited unexplored possibilitues of Erard's double-escapement, creating music that makes the piano seem like a sustaining instrument through rapid note reiterations. He also delved into subtle pedal technique as the technology behind pedaling improved.

Read the New Grove Dictionary of Music Article on Liszt