Of Liszt and Beethoven

I have always believed that these two musical masters were somehow connected since I have seen Liszt's piano scores of Beethoven's symphonies for the first time but also because I own a Beethoven piano sonata collection edited by Liszt. However, little did I know that they have actually met, or have they?

It was the year 1822 or 1823...

Liszt, a German with Hungarian roots, was eleven or twelve years of age but already a masterful pianist. His father decided that the young Liszt would miss out on vital musical education in their native home town in Hungary and therefore relocated to Vienna when the boy was 9. His father hoped his son would develop into a concert pianist, with whom he could travel and make money similar to Mozart. His composition teacher was the infamous Antonio Salieri and his piano teacher non other than Carl Czerny, himself a former pupil of Beethoven. Czerny was so impressed with the boys talent at the piano that he tried to persuade Beethoven to listen to him.

Beethoven was profoundly deaf and gradually started to lose his wits in 1822-1823 and in general he showed little interest in prodigies. He was the greatest living composer during that time not only in Vienna but possibly in the whole of Europe. One can only imagine how difficult it must have been for a young boy to get in contact with the master himself. But with Czerny's help, he probably did meet Beethoven. However, what exactly happened seems to be a mystery.

Liszt as a young boy

Liszt himself told the story when asked by one of his students, Ilka Horowitz-Barnay. He said that:

'I was about eleven years old when my venerated teacher Czerny took me to Beethoven. I first played a short piece by Ries. When I had finished Beethoven asked me whether I could play a Bach fugue. I chose the C-minor Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier. “And could you also transpose the fugue at once into another key?” Beethoven asked me. Fortunately I was able to do so. After my closing chord I glanced up. The great master's darkly glowingly haze lay piercingly upon me. Yet suddenly a gentle smile passed over his gloomy features and Beethoven came quite close to me, stooped down, put his hand on my head, and stroked my hair several times.'
After playing the opening movement of Beethoven's C-major Piano Concerto, Liszt recalls:
'When I had concluded Beethoven caught hold of me with both hands, kissed me on the forehead, and said gently: “Go! You are one of the fortunate ones! For you will bring joy and happiness to many other people!! There is nothing better or finer!”

Liszt concludes his anecdote with:
'This event in my life has remained my greatest pride – the palladium of my career as an artist. I tell it but very seldom and only to good friends.'

However convincing it sounds, most of it is probably fabricated by Liszt. He mentioned that he visited Beethoven in his home in the 'Schwarzspanierhaus'. Beethoven did not live there any more in 1822/23. But Liszt's recollection dates back to 1875 and by then he was getting old and his memory may not have served him well. Another important detail to take into consideration is Beethoven's loss of hearing. How could he have been able to listen to Liszt's playing? But then again he might have used his ear trumpet or at least followed young Liszt's fingers. And why would Czerny try to persuade Beethoven to listen to someone playing if he knew how bad Beethoven's hearing was? I believe that Beethoven would have been able to appreciate Liszt's talent somehow, if Liszt played. A clue whether Liszt actually performed might be found in Beethoven's conversation books and although it is mentioned that they have possibly met, there is no mention of Liszt playing anything. But this makes me wonder that if they have met, what would they have done apart from playing piano? Beethoven didn't need to show his talents and certainly not to a 11/12 year old boy. It makes only sense that Liszt played for the master.

Beethoven in his later years

Another version of the story exists. This time written in one of Liszt's biographies by Lina Ramann between 1880 and 1894 with the consultation of Liszt. According to Ramann Beethoven attended a concert of Liszt and upon Liszt finishing playing he 'hastily mounted the platform and kissed him [Liszt]'. This kiss was to become the 'Weihekuss', kiss of consecration. The story seems even more unlikely as Beethoven isolated himself from the public more and more and having him in the audience must have been noted, yet no review mentions his attendance. And if Beethoven kissed this young pianist than surely some eye-witnesses would not hesitate to recollect what they saw, yet again no mentioning from anyone in the attendance.

A third recollection of the events comes from Liszt himself again. When asked by August Göllerich about the moment of meeting Beethoven he replied:

'Beethoven appeared at my second concert in Vienna, for the sake of Czerny, and kissed me on the forehead. I never played at his house, but I was there twice.'

He is obviously contradicting himself here, first he said he was at his house then he said that he was there twice but never played.

However, some things match in all three versions. Czerny was the link between Beethoven and Liszt, which seems very likely as it is documented that Czerny was a pupil of Beethoven and a teacher of Liszt. The second match is that Liszt always states to have seen Beethoven. Now that can mean he has talked to the man or that he only saw Beethoven without getting in direct contact with him. And Liszt also always mentions the kiss on the forehead. I don't believe it was dramatic and in public, however I can imagine two things. First, Czerny took Liszt to Beethoven or Beethoven came to Czerny with Liszt being there (possibly at a lesson). Beethoven possibly saw the talent and showed his affection (it is well know that Beethoven believed in the arts and it is therefore not unlikely that he was affectionate to other great artists) by possibly kissing him on the forehead and stroking his hair, after all Liszt was a young boy. A few days later Beethoven might have attended a concert of Liszt, however I think it is unlikely that he made a fuss and jumped on the stage. I believe it is more likely that Liszt saw him in the audience or was introduced to him once again afterwards.

No matter what really happened, I find it fascinating that the possible encounter with Beethoven had an artistic impact on Liszt and that he devoted much of his time promoting Beethoven's works, even when he was already a musical master in his own right.

-PW

Liszt in his later years