Franz Liszt was one of many classical composers. In someways, he can be compared to a modern rock and roll star. FranzLiszt was born in Raiding, Hungary, on October 22, 1811.
Muchlike Mozart, he was a very great piano player at a very youngage. Liszt composed an opera called Don Sancho at the age offourteen. Professionals of Liszt’s time thought that he was onlya genius with the piano, which was not enough to give his ideasthe great recognition they deserved. Many people thought thatLiszt was “a mover and a shaker, a rebel, chased women, and hadmuch talent and personality. “He had invented the solo recital.
When Liszt had a concert,he usually played his own music and came out wearing decorationshanging on chains, which was unusual for his time. For two yearsLiszt was hospitalized for a nervous breakdown. In some ways hewas much like Kurt Cobain, the late lead singer of the rock bandNirvana. Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen,Washington. He was passed on to several relatives after hisparents divorced when he was eight years old.
For some time heeven lived under a bridge and was hospitalized for a heroinaddiction. It was not entirely unexpected that Cobain committedsuicide. He had had entered a coma by overdosing on a mixture ofchampagne and tranquilizers on March 4. Also, Kurt’s familyhistory showed that two of his father’s uncles committed suicide,along with the fact that there were a lot of dysfunctionalmarriages and alcoholism present.
During a concert, Kurt wouldjerk around as if he was being electrocuted. After his death, thesale of Nirvana memorabilia increased dramatically. As you can see, both Franz Liszt and Kurt Cobain have somecharacteristics in common. They had both been hospitalized for anillness. However, one was physical while the other was mental. Both had unusual concert styles.
Like many classical composers,Kurt was not truly appreciated until his death, as shown by thefact that the sale of Nirvana memorabilia increased. WORKS CITEDDougherty, Steve, “No Way Out. ” People Weekly April 25 1994. Pg.
38Goulding, Phil G. Classical Music New York: Fawcett Columbine,1992Rosen, Craig, “Cobain death spurs rush at retail; biz talk turnsto bands unreleased work. ” Billboard April 23 1994. Pg. 9Schoenberg, Harold C.
The Lives of the Great Composers. New York,London: WW Norton ; CO. , 1981Seidenberg, Robert, “The Day the Demons Won. ” EntertainmentWeekly April 7 1995. Pg.
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