Chopin and Liszt “Frenemies”
Two Men With Very Similar Profiles
If you’ve had the chance to read the life stories of Chopin and Liszt here, you were likely struck by the amazing similarities in their lives and musical careers. Both were…
Child prodigies
Very religious
Of foreign descent, living in Paris, arriving within a few years of one another
Recognized as musical geniuses in Paris intellectual and aristocratic circles
Virtuoso pianists and composers
Known as the co-creators of the Romantic Era in music
Heavily influenced by the music of their heritage
Giving piano lessons to promising upper class students
Living with mistresses
Subject to frequent bouts of unexplained illnesses
Suffering from is now known as “bi-polar” disorder
Different Personalities and Musical Styles
Now let’s discover how very different Liszt and Chopin were by listening to their music as we describe their personalities and musical styles.
Listen to this Composition by Franz Liszt
This piece is called the Hungarian Rhapsodie #2 in C Sharp Minor.
This was specifically chosen because it is representative not only of Liszt’s Hungarian heritage and music, but also his singularly strong mastery of the piano.
It is played by the famous pianist Lang-Lang accompanied by The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Franz Liszt Profile
An extrovert, flamboyant
Strikingly handsome
Imposing physical stature
Loved playing in large concert halls
Played the piano with flourish
Enjoyed complex piano-playing techniques
Traveled to several countries on the concert circuit
Was relatively wealthy, due to earned income from the concerts
A ladies’ man, having had countless romantic affairs over his lifetime
“I am a revolutionary by birth, and a musician by calling. My music is a reflection of my rebellious spirit.”
Chopin Had Very High Regard For Liszt’s Music
"Liszt's virtuosity is awe-inspiring. He possesses an incredible command of the piano, and his performances are filled with fiery brilliance and unparalleled technique."
"Liszt's compositions are like a musical journey. They take you on an adventure, exploring different moods, textures, and colors. His music is both profound and enchanting."
Now Listen to this Composition by Chopin
This piece is called the Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 17.
This was also specifically selected to be representative of Chopin’s Polish heritage and music (the mazurka was a Polish musical form based on stylized folk dances), as well as his quiet and emotionally pensive style of playing.
The pianist is the renowned Evgeny Kissin.
Frederyk Chopin Profile
An introvert, reserved
Moderately attractive in his younger years, but frail, small
Not confident; self-deprecating
Had stage fright in large concert halls; preferred playing in small salon settings
Played the piano lightly, from the soul
Rarely traveled to perform
Always scrimping and saving; gave piano lessons to get by
Not a ladies’ man, but a ladies’ friend: he had many female acquaintances
Very concerned with appearances; extreme focus on the right clothes, carriages and apartment décor
“I am not fitted to give concerts, the public frightens me; I feel suffocated by its panting breath, paralyzed by its curious glance, mute before those unknown faces.”
Franz Liszt Also Had Very High Regard For Chopin’s Music
"Chopin is the greatest composer for the piano that has ever existed. His works are miracles; they do not merely require a genius to play them but a genius to be able to write them."
"Chopin's music possesses an enchanting power that transports the listener to another realm. It is like a language spoken by the angels, touching the deepest recesses of the heart."
A Gradual Parting Of Ways
In The Beginning, A Dynamic Duo
When they first met in Paris, Franz Liszt and Chopin spent a good amount of time together sharing ideas on composing and trying out new piano techniques that defined the Romantic Era of music.
Chopin dedicated of his set of 12 Etudes Op. 10 to Liszt. And Liszt’s Duo Sonata based on Polish themes, composed in 1835, is a musical tribute to Chopin.
Liszt and Chopin even participated in concerts with two pianos, one trying to outdo the other with piano wizardry before an amazed audience.
Chopin so admired Liszt that he wrote the following in a letter to Ferdinand Hiller ”At this moment Liszt is playing my Etudes and transporting me outside my respectable thoughts. I should like to steal from him the way to play my own etudes.”
Then They Were A Famous Foursome
They also shared many evenings together with their respective paramours (Liszt’s mistress Marie D’Agoult and Chopin’s mistress George Sand) both of whom were also close friends.
In fact, it was Marie D’Agoult who engineered the introduction of Chopin to George Sand, which began their 10 year relationship.
Chopin and Close Friends
Pursuing Separate Paths In Later Years
But the Liszt/D’Agoult romance did not last as long, and when it ended so did the social gatherings of the foursome. In fact, it was not long before George Sand and Marie D’Agoult came to hate one another.
And as Chopin became more reclusive, due to a combination of poor health and stage fright, he became more resentful of Liszt’s vitality and continued musical success on the concert circuit. He specifically railed out publically against Liszt’s “theatricality” when playing.
But Liszt remained a dedicated admirer of Chopin to the end, writing a biography entitled “The Life of Chopin” which provides loving and insightful glimpses into the life of a man who rarely wrote or spoke about himself.
