Franz Liszt, born on October 22, 1811, in Doborján, Kingdom of Hungary (now Raiding, Austria), was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, and teacher of the Romantic period. Recognized as a child prodigy, Liszt began playing the piano at a young age under the guidance of his father, Ádám Liszt, an amateur musician who worked for Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy. By the age of nine, Franz was performing in concert halls, and his talent was nurtured by lessons with Carl Czerny and Antonio Salieri in Vienna.

Liszt's career as a concert pianist took off in the 1830s and 1840s, where he became renowned for his technical brilliance and charismatic performances, a phenomenon known as "Lisztomania." He toured extensively across Europe, gaining a reputation not only for his musical prowess but also for his physical attractiveness. During his lifetime, Liszt was a friend and benefactor to many composers, including Hector Berlioz, Frédéric Chopin, and Richard Wagner.

Liszt's contributions to music were significant; he coined the terms "transcription" and "paraphrase" and was a key figure in the New German School, promoting programmatic music and harmonic experimentation. He taught hundreds of piano students and influenced future generations through his masterclasses. His compositions, such as the Hungarian Rhapsodies, Années de pèlerinage, and the Piano Sonata in B minor, remain staples in the piano repertoire.

Liszt's personal life included relationships with Marie d'Agoult, with whom he had three children, and later Princess Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, who encouraged him to focus on composition and teaching. His later works explored atonality, foreshadowing 20th-century music developments. Liszt passed away on July 31, 1886, in Bayreuth, Germany, leaving behind a profound legacy as one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era.