by Franz Liszt
First published 2014
Franz Liszt sits at his writing desk, penning another letter to his struggling composer friend Richard Wagner. The year is 1841, and Wagner faces ridicule from critics while Liszt enjoys fame as an established performer. Through twenty years of correspondence, Liszt becomes Wagner's musical mentor, offering encouragement when others mock the younger composer's work. He champions Wagner's operas as an enthusiastic critic, using his influence to support pieces that audiences initially reject. Their friendship deepens beyond professional collaboration as Liszt provides both artistic guidance and personal support. The letters reveal how an established artist nurtures emerging talent, transforming a mentor-student relationship into something more complex. Eventually their bond becomes familial when Liszt becomes Wagner's father-in-law. This correspondence captures the evolution of two musical minds and the power of artistic friendship during a pivotal period in opera history.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 20th-century, non-fiction, music, 19th-century, classical-music
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: mentor-student-relationship, transformation
Period: 1841
194 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform