Jetsettersblog

For the 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Liszt in 2011, the city of Weimar in Thuringia in Germany’s east, only two hours from Frankfurt, celebrates the life and work of its honorary citizen and world-famous composer. Weimar has been in the 18th and 19th century one of the cultural epicenters of Germany, home to greats such as Goethe, Schiller and Bach.

Liszt lived there for over 10 years as the chief conductor of the Hofkapelle and returned to the town many times. Weimar is the center of the anniversary celebrations of Liszt in the state of Thuringia hosting the exhibition, “Franz Liszt — A European in Weimar” (June 24 to Oct. 30, 2011) and over 200 concerts, performances and events throughout 2011.

Weimar starts off the Liszt year with an opening concert in the Hofkapelle by famous Austrian-American pianist Alfred Brendel (Feb. 16). Brendel is a great admirer of Liszt’s genius and rediscovered his work for 20th century audiences. He will also give two lectures on Liszt following his concert in Weimar (Feb. 18 and 19).

The focal point of the anniversary is the state exhibition “Franz Liszt — A European in Weimar.” The first section of the exhibition in the Schiller Museum traces the stations of his life and the virtuoso’s travel throughout Europe to Weimar, where the majority of his most important works were composed in barely more than 10 years.

The second section of the exhibition in the Castle Museum traces the technical development, sound aesthetics and cultural history context of the piano in Liszt’s era.

The highlight of the exhibition is the presentation of the Liszt grand piano copied especially for the State exhibition by the Marseilles piano manufacturers Boisselot & Fils.

It was at this piano that Liszt composed his works in the private rooms of his Weimar home in the Altenburg.

In addition, the permanent exhibition in Weimar’s Liszt Museum, features manuscripts from the largest Liszt collection in the world.

For more information, visit

www.weimar.de

www.liszt-2011.com

or www.cometogermany.com