CHAPTER I.

LES PRELUDES.

Liszt’s Childish Characteristics--The Home at Raiding--The Father and his musical Abilities--His Ambition for his Son--Selections from his Diary--Young Liszt’s first Appearances--Peculiarities of his Playing--The Gypsies--The Influence of their Life and Music upon him--Paganini and Bihary--Generosity of Counts Amadee and Szapary--His studies with Czerny--Old artists’ astonished--Plays before Beethoven--The great Master kisses the Boy--The Journey to Paris--Cherubini’s Churlishness--Liszt’s immense Success--Ovations and Triumphs--A great Favorite among the Ladies--French and German tributes. 11-35