The Ferenc Liszt Museum is located at VI, Vőrősmarty utca, 35, just off Andrassy út. The building was the home of Hungary’s greatest composer and pianist, commonly known as Franz Liszt.  A visit to the Liszt house reveals the life of the composer. Three rooms hold pianos, furniture, and memorabilia belonging to Liszt. A huge portrait of this passionate pianist hangs in the entry hall, where tickets are sold, as do many portrait prints of him. Two replicas of Franz Liszt’s hands can be found displayed in vitrines: one, a bronze of his right hand, another a marble sculpture of his left hand. Henry compared the size of his own “piano” hands with those of Liszt, and found the composers hands to have extremely long fingers. Liszt is famous for the strength of his hands. I have read that he traveled to concerts with a piano technician, who was often called onstage to replace piano strings, which would snap during his performances. In the former dining room of this home sits a Chickering piano on a raised platform. This was a given by the piano manufacturer to the composer. In an adjacent room, is Liszt’s bedroom/study, furnished with a writing desk, the center drawer fitted with a small keyboard of three octaves, a gift from Boesendorfer piano manufacturers. Vitrines on the perimeter of the room hold interesting artifacts including letters, music, books, gloves, a walking stick and his death mask. In the corner stands a small day bed and a prie-dieu containing a traveling ivory crucifix and his  bible. These religious objects are said to be a reflection of the deep spiritual beliefs that influenced Liszt’s musical compositions. In the large living room, two pianos dominate the salon. The larger of the two, a Chickering concert grand, has a beautiful silver music stand. This cast silver stand was a gift from friends of Liszt. Sculpted portrait heads of  famous composers ornament this unique and elaborate stand; and, a bas relief profile portrait of Liszt himself is placed in its center. In addition to the two pianos, the smaller of the two  is a Boesendorfer, used when Liszt gave lessons here, there is also a harpsichord, which  stands along one wall of the salon.  The living room is furnished  with the actual furniture, paintings, sculptures, and carpets that  were here when Liszt lived here from 1877 until his death in 1886. Henry and I were fortunate to be here alone, so we could thoroughly explore and enjoy learning more about this fascinating musician.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Piano with a unique silver music stand. 2. Center drawer of Liszt’s desk, a small keyboard revealed. 3. View of Liszt’s salon. 4.  Vitrine in Liszt’s bedroom/study. Memorabilia here include gloves, a walking stick, and his death mask. Center, Top: A etching of Ferenc Liszt. as a young man. Center, Bottom: Bronze bust of Ferenc Liszt, displayed at the Hungarian State Opera House. Right Column: 1. View of the salon where Liszt taught music. 2. Henry standing in Liszt’s bedroom/study beside the desk where Liszt composed. 3. View of the Salon. 4. Marble copy of Liszt’s left hand.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                           BACK TO MAP PAGE