Franz Liszt was born 213 years ago
A world-renowned and respected composer, pianist and teacher, he was one of the founders and president of the Liszt Academy of Budapest. The institution he founded still bears his name and strives to continue his legacy. Our museum and research centre is dedicated to the composer's life and former home, with the aim of presenting his life and work to a wider audience through interesting programmes and academic research. We also aim to ensure that visitors enjoy their time in the museum, leave with good memories and are eager to return to Liszt's former home.
Liszt spent several of his birthdays - including his 35th and 65th - at the home of his friend Antal Auguasz in Szekszárd, Hungary. On 21 October 1870, the eve of his 65th birthday, the citizens of Szekszárd held a torchlight parade in honour of the master, followed by a banquet to celebrate the composer's birthday. The next day's birthday celebrations were attended by well-known musicians such as Ede Reményi, Ödön Mihalovich, Sophie Menter, Kornél Ábrányi and Mihály Mosonyi.
Despite the grand celebrations, Liszt generally pursued and enjoyed a quiet and relaxed rural lifestyle during his visits. This is how he described it to his friend in 1870:
"As early as 1846, on my first visit, I experienced the cordial kindness of your hospitality, which, twenty years later, has not diminished, not to mention that I myself, twenty years older, can appreciate the value of such a constant and devoted friendship as yours. And if I am given the opportunity of returning to you, an opportunity which I hope will not be long delayed, be prepared that I shall not be gone so soon. Indeed, one feels too comfortable there to leave."