Foregoers

b. Doborjan, Hungary (now Raiding, Austria) 10/22/1811; d. Bayreuth, 7/31/1886, Germany Composer

He was taught to play the piano by his father and then Czerny, establishing himself as a remarkable concert artist by the age of 12. He gave concerts around the whole world, but was active as a composer. The greatest pianist of his time, he composed some of the most difficult piano music ever written and had an extraordinarily broad repertoire; he invented the modern piano recital. From 1870 he journeyed regularly between Rome, Weimar and Budapest. He remained active as a teacher and performer to the end of his life. The Music Academy in Budapest is named after him; many great musicians leave this institute year by year.