Who was Franz Liszt and what were some of his famous musical compositions and innovations?

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic era, known for his virtuosic piano playing and innovative compositions. He was one of the most prominent and influential musicians of the 19th century.

Liszt's innovations include his development of the symphonic poem, a type of orchestral work that tells a story or depicts a scene or idea, and his use of thematic transformation, a technique where a musical theme is developed and transformed throughout a composition. Liszt's music is also known for its virtuosic piano writing and expressive melodies.

Some of Liszt's most famous compositions include his piano works, such as the Transcendental Etudes, the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and the Années de pèlerinage (Years of Pilgrimage), as well as his orchestral works, such as the Les préludes and Mazeppa.

In addition to his musical career, Liszt was also known for his philanthropic work, his relationships with other prominent musicians of the time, including Richard Wagner and Hector Berlioz, and his reputation as a great piano teacher.