Seattle Symphony with Liszt and Kodaly

Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, and teacher of the Romantic period. Recognized as a child prodigy, he began performing publicly at age nine and studied in Vienna under Carl Czerny and Antonio Salieri. He achieved unprecedented European stardom in the 1830s and 1840s, provoking a fan hysteria known as Lisztomania. Liszt revolutionized the standard piano recital by playing entirely from memory and positioning the piano to face the audience. His extensive musical legacy includes inventing the symphonic poem, pioneering the masterclass, and developing a vast body of influential compositions such as the Hungarian Rhapsodies.

The Seattle Symphony, founded in 1903, is an internationally acclaimed classical orchestra based in Seattle. Known for its inventive programming, commitment to new music, and extensive recording history with over 150 albums, the Symphony has garnered five Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and was named Gramophone's 2018 Orchestra of the Year. It is recognized for diverse collaborations and its vital role in the Pacific Northwest cultural scene.