Franz Liszt

Age 9 (1820) – Performed as a Child Prodigy
Made his public concert debut in Sopron, Hungary, impressing audiences with his extraordinary piano talent.

Age 11 (1822) – Studied Under Carl Czerny
Moved to Vienna to study piano with Carl Czerny, a former student of Beethoven, who taught him for free after recognising his talent.

Age 12 (1823) – Was Rejected by the Paris Conservatoire
Moved to Paris, where the Conservatoire rejected his application because he was a foreigner.

Age 16 (1827) – Lost His Father
His father, Adam Liszt, died suddenly. Liszt began giving piano lessons to support himself and his mother.

Age 19 (1830) – Experienced a Spiritual Crisis
Went through a period of depression, read extensively, and briefly considered becoming a priest.

Age 21 (1832) – Was Inspired by Paganini
Heard violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini perform and became determined to revolutionise piano technique, earning a reputation as the “Paganini of the piano.”

Age 23 (1834) – Began a Relationship with Marie d’Agoult
Began a relationship with French writer Countess Marie d’Agoult, who eventually left her husband to be with him.

Age 26 (1837) – Welcomed His Second Daughter
Had his second child, Cosima, with Marie d’Agoult. Cosima later married composer Richard Wagner.

Age 33 (1844) – Sparked “Lisztomania” Across Europe
His electrifying performances triggered a wave of fan frenzy known as “Lisztomania,” bringing him immense fame and adding strain to his relationship with Marie d’Agoult.

Age 37 (1848) – Retired from the Concert Stage
Moved to Weimar with Princess Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and shifted his focus from performing to composing and conducting.

Age 54 (1865) – Became Abbé Liszt
Received minor Catholic orders in Rome and embraced a more religious life, becoming widely known as “Abbé Liszt.”

Age 57 (1868) – Faced Family Scandal
His daughter Cosima’s relationship with Richard Wagner continued to attract controversy. She had children with Wagner while still married to conductor Hans von Bülow.

Age 64 (1875) – Founded the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
Helped establish the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest to advance music education in Hungary.

Age 74 (1886) – Died in Bayreuth
Died in Germany after a remarkable life of musical innovation, international fame, personal controversy, and spiritual exploration.