Composer. In his early life, he was an extravagant virtuoso, the darling of the ladies, and a creator of new and adventurous music. Also in his early years, he received four minor orders through the Franciscan Order from Cardinal Hohenlohe in his private chapel at the Vatican. In his old age, he turned to the church, writing sacred music, and championing the music of a new generation. He was born in Hungary, where his father was in the employ of a wealthy family. His early talent in music was rewarded by the support of a group of Hungarian nobles who subsidized his studies in Paris. He studied composition and made his living as a performer and teacher. Liszt's long-lasting relationships with two married women (the Countess Marie d'Agoult, by whom he had three children, and the Princess Carolyne Sayn-Wittgenstein) were marked by both turbulent scenes and periods of great creativity. In 1848, he abandoned his concert career to concentrate more on his composing. Later he moved to Rome, taking minor orders there in 1865. Much of the rest of his life was taken up with composing religious music, although he kept up his career as a teacher and performer, dividing his time between Rome, Weimar and Budapest.

Composer. In his early life, he was an extravagant virtuoso, the darling of the ladies, and a creator of new and adventurous music. Also in his early years, he received four minor orders through the Franciscan Order from Cardinal Hohenlohe in his private chapel at the Vatican. In his old age, he turned to the church, writing sacred music, and championing the music of a new generation. He was born in Hungary, where his father was in the employ of a wealthy family. His early talent in music was rewarded by the support of a group of Hungarian nobles who subsidized his studies in Paris. He studied composition and made his living as a performer and teacher. Liszt's long-lasting relationships with two married women (the Countess Marie d'Agoult, by whom he had three children, and the Princess Carolyne Sayn-Wittgenstein) were marked by both turbulent scenes and periods of great creativity. In 1848, he abandoned his concert career to concentrate more on his composing. Later he moved to Rome, taking minor orders there in 1865. Much of the rest of his life was taken up with composing religious music, although he kept up his career as a teacher and performer, dividing his time between Rome, Weimar and Budapest.

Bio by: Jelena