A Trip To The Past And Back To The Present

It's the weekend again and Galen posted the new weekend topics for this weekend yesterday. I'm always looking forward to see what he comes up with and most likely always choose the most strange one.

image.png
source

Historical person
If it was possible to meet one single person from history (someone who lived over 100 years ago) who would it be, why do you choose that person and how would you explain today's society to them? Write a post of at least 300 words and use images you took yourself is possible. source

This is a good question and even though I like it a lot, had to think about who I would rather meet from the past. There were a couple of candidates to choose from, but at the end I decided to meet Franz Liszt (22 October 1811 – 31 July 1886), the a Hungarian composer, pianist and teacher of the Romantic period.

Why Did I Choose Him?

Some of you who know me, may think I chose him because he's Hungarian, but nationality or citizenship has nothing to do with my choice. Not to mention he did not even speak Hungarian, or just a little as he moved to Vienna at a very young age.

The first time I came into contact with Franz Liszt's life and work what when I was a teenager. Contrary to how this may look, I wasn't studying music or learning to play any instrument, but I thought it would be nice to learn about some of the prominent personalities of my culture. Lucky me, I had two biographies to read and learn from. One was of low quality, unfortunately, but the other was a very valuable book that is still on my shelf. I should read it again, just need to find time.

When I started reading Liszt's biography, I knew very little about his music, but that did not stop me from learning about the great master's life and it turned out to be a very good decision. What I was about to read in the book changed me quite a bit, in a good way.

Real men are sadly lacking in this world, for when they are put to the test they prove worthless. Franz Liszt
source

IMG_20190711_132317a.jpg

Schönbrunn Palace, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Photo taken in 2019

Back in those times, being a musician meant pleasing nobles and the emperor (Franz Joseph I of Austria) as music was only available to a selected few, the upper class. Concerts were organized for the rich and they were the ones deciding if you will be successful, or not. In those conditions, innovating, trying something new was a high risk, but that did not stop Liszt from doing it.

Virtuosity aside, Liszt astonished audiences by appearing alone on the stage. Until he came along, musicians were all expected to share concerts with other performers.
Liszt set a precedent by situating the piano differently. He was the first to place it at a right angle to the stage. The open lid projected the sound better into the hall and allowed audiences to see him in profile.
He was also the first to enter from the wings onto the stage.
After doing so, Liszt would perform from memory. Nobody had done that before. source

These are just a few known facts about the great artist. He was a pioneer in many things and he did it knowing that it can make or break his career. History was not made by those who did nothing, said Queen Elisabeth II., and she was right.

I've read a lot of biography books about musicians living between 1800 and 1900 and can tell you, even though we are celebrating most of them today and counting them as great personalities of the era, they were struggling and suffering mostly because of their attempt to create something new. You need courage to break the rules, get out of the social norms forced on everyone by the upper class.

Beware of missing chances; otherwise it may be altogether too late some day. Franz Liszt
Source

I would go back to the middle of the 19th century to meet Franz Liszt, spend a week with him, learn about his thoughts in that period of time, his struggles, his plans and the most important, watch him practice, compose and play on the stage.

The other (selfish) thing I would do is go in a trip with him and meet his friends. It is known he was friends with Frédéric Chopin, Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Robert Schumann and the French writer Aurore Dupin, who was known by her pen name George Sand and was the lover of Frédéric Chopin. Back in those days, they used to spend the summer at the countryside, talking about art, composing music, holding parties and so on. I would love to spend a week with these people and listen to what they have to say about art, music, literature and life in general.

How Would You Explain Today's Society To Him?

It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me. Franz Liszt
source

Explaining today's society to him would be difficult. I mean I could obviously tell him how things stand today, but I'd rather prefer to bring him into the present and show him myself.

First I would accompany him to Hungary, to show him there's a Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, which was founded in 1875, by Liszt himself. I would show him that the institute still stands, his legacy still lives, many students are studying there, thanks to him.

IMG_20190711_180133a.jpg

The Wiener Musikverein, the concert hall of Vienna, Austria. Photo taken in 2019

I would fly him to Vienna, from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (named after the musician, obviously), to see the New Year's concert held in Vienna each year on the 1st day of January, to show him how his fellow musicians of that era are valued and respected today. Would explain to him how difficult it is to win a ticket to the concert and how much a ticket costs. For those of you who don't know, there's a list every year, then there's a drawing and the lucky ones get to buy their tickets and watch the concert live. It is a privilege to be there.

The ticket prices range between 35 € and 1200 € for the New Year's Concert, 25 € and 860 € for the New Year's Eve Concert, and 20 € and 495 € for the Preview Performance. source

Then I would fly him to Paris, to visit the Louvre and show him the artworks of those who he was friends with. I would tell him about how much those times are appreciated when it comes to music, literature and art and that those artists, writers, composers did not suffer in vain.

This is one of his famous rhapsody, that has been played by many piano artists over the years and has been rewritten God knows how many times.

I would show him this video, a new version of his work, 200 years later, played by a young boy.

I'm not sure how he would take all this, some things would be very good for him to know, while other things would be shocking for sure, but I would love the time spent with him. Or who knows :)

If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:


presearch



0
0
0.000
23 comments
avatar

He is a great composer. Of classical music what I listen to most corresponds to the baroque period, it gives me a lot of peace to listen to those melodies with an antique air. I know little about Franz Liszt and I thank you for the Youtube links. I really enjoyed reading your publication. Thank you for sharing. Be well dear @erikah . A big hug from Maracay.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I'm glad you liked it and thanks for dropping by. Classical music is good if you're in the mood for it. Greetings to you too.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Greetings friend.

What a nice way to introduce your character. I can see that you feel admiration and respect, certainly a good example to follow and worth the effort to know. Success and happy weekend ☺️

0
0
0.000
avatar

I think we can learn something from everyone, regardless if we are in their field, or not. I'm not a musician, but appreciated him as a person, for what he did and how much he left for us.

Have a nice evening.

0
0
0.000
avatar

LISZT 😍😍😍

I was kind of "obsessed " with this composer in my youth hahaha.

I broke at least two strings on my piano while practising some of his compositions. Awfully difficult pieces he wrote, technically and musically too. Never mastered them 100%. I also wanted to go back 100 years, and meet him in person and his circle. Many people don't even know about his strong philosophical side, I think everyone knows the music, especially the Hungarian Rhapsodies.

When we were in high school, we had several masterclasses with eminent piano teachers. One girl practised Mephisto Waltz:

I felt pain seeing her playing it lol, it is a serious finger- breaking activity 😂

Another gem from Liszt's opus is the famous La Campanella. No, I didn't play this one hahahha

I played a few other transcendental studies, some Hungarian Rhapsodies, then Nocturne no 3, The Rigoletto Paraphrase... Already at the uni, I played a dark one... Ballada in b minor:

Thanks for taking us to this trip to the past with this special person, Liszt Ferenc :)))

0
0
0.000
avatar

😂😂😂

I must confess my sins. I did not want to use his name in the title of my post, I rather chose a neutral title. Did not want to tag you either as I don't ant to bother people. But I used his image, hoping you'll see it. You're the only qualified specialist here in this matter, I don't know anyone else 🤣.

I'm glad you like him too. I suppose he was a controversial musician post mortem as well, because he's not an easy one.

Many people don't even know about his strong philosophical side, I think everyone knows the music, especially the Hungarian Rhapsodies.

I know his music less, I mean i know a few pieces that are well known, but not like you or other musicians. I liked his biography and what I was able to read about him and I think we can thank him a lot.

Thanks for these videos, I'm going to watch them for sure.

So you would come with me then, to meet him? 😂 You would totally steal him from me 😳

By the way, I didn't know you can break piano strings too 😲 I suppose it's expensive to replace them, you most likely need specialist. Or can you fix it yourself?

0
0
0.000
avatar

You would totally steal him from me 😳

Ow, maybe 😂

But depends on the time we are talking about. When he was young and handsome (oops, did I say this aloud?) or when older? If older, I know, wise and all that stuff, but... let's stay just in fiction trip hahaha

I didn't know you can break piano strings too

Of course, we can. When we hit with too much energy the strings. and his pieces needed many times that :D My father already "specialised" in the field because of me, there were different things to fix 😅

Now I have just a digital piano here... not the same feeling but life happens

0
0
0.000
avatar

Oh, I didn't mean it like stealing him as a man. I meant on a professional level. I would not be able to have a conversation with him about music, at a level you could. That's what I meant 😃

0
0
0.000
avatar

Oh well, maybe I would be silent as dead if would see him indeed 🤐 😂

0
0
0.000
avatar

Naah, I'm a god friend, I would let you speak as who else could introduce him to the modern wold, if not you, right? 😁

0
0
0.000
avatar

Congratulations @erikah! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

You received more than 330000 upvotes.
Your next target is to reach 340000 upvotes.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Check out our last posts:

The Hive Gamification Proposal
0
0
0.000
avatar

Wow, that's a lot. Thanks for keeping us up to date 😀

0
0
0.000
avatar

You're welcome @erikah, that's our job! Thanks to you for your daily involvement on Hive 😄 Have a nice day 😊👍

0
0
0.000
avatar

ok you know what is fascinating!?!?!

When I was 15, I was the last one to play in a piano recital - and I played 10 pages of Hungarian Rhapsody - BY MEMORY!!! HEHEHE

and I had NO idea that HE was one of the firsts to do this!!!!! This is so cool!!!

Great choice here - and I'll be coming along to meet him with you too! heheheh

0
0
0.000
avatar

Congratulations then, looks like you deserve it. Playing by memory requires a lot of practice.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hey, long time. I was busy in this period so I couldn't continue much in engaging.
I see the topic is so cool.
If I write following this topic then I may talk about Isaac Newton and how I'd ask him sit under a coconut tree, lol.

Are you still sponsoring contests from your other account? I missed all before.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Isaac Newton most likely is a good choice as he was a key figure in history.

I wasn't sponsoring contests. I launched a challenge at the beginning of the year, got some comments but when the challenge was launched no one was interested. So no, I am not.

0
0
0.000
avatar

What an interesting and educational trip for me. I don't know much about music to say the least. But I love to see and hear about this wonderful gift that many people possess.

Your gift of writing and transmitting love through writing is wonderful.

Thank you for sharing this true story of Franz Liszt. I was impressed with the videos.... And to know that on the platform we have such talent very close by fills me with admiration.
Greetings @erikah ☺️🤗

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thank you @elizpc, I'm happy to know you liked it. There's always something to learn on Hive, isn't it?

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yes, I certify it I am always learning something new. And willing to do it too 👍☺️

0
0
0.000
avatar

Snails... Franz was not only talented, but he was in a good circle of illustrious people in other arts. I was impressed with how difficult it was to get tickets to that theater. I wonder if a man like that could have any preference to get into that great hall. Imagine him, standing in line to get in, in his period attire waiting his turn. The videos are very good. Regards @erikah

0
0
0.000
avatar

The time he lived in was not easy, even today being a famous musician has always had its complications.

Really, your character would be too proud to see that his music academy exists and currently signs excellent musicians, I liked reading you, greetings 🖖

0
0
0.000