Born at Raiding in Hungary in 1811, the son of Adam Liszt, a steward in the service of Haydn’s former patrons, the Esterházy princes, Franz Liszt had early encouragement from members of the Hungarian nobility, allowing him in 1822 to go to Vienna, for lessons with Czerny and a famous meeting with Beethoven. From there he moved to Paris, where Cherubini refused him admission to the Conservatoire, as a foreigner. Nevertheless, he was able to impress audiences by his performance, now supported by the Erard family, piano manufacturers whose wares he was able to advertise in the concert tours on which he embarked. Liszt is perhaps best known for his invention of the symphonic poem. The works on this release are performed by Hungarian pianist Jeno Jandó.