Author: Ernst Burger (Autor)
Title: Franz Liszt in der Photographie seiner Zeit: 260 Portraits 1843-1886
Description: , Hirmer, 2003. 142, 32,6 x 24,4 x 2 cm, Hardcover. Zustand: 2. 260 Originalphotographien Franz Liszts nie zuvor veröffentlichte Bilddokumente auf der Höhe seines Virtuosenruhmes Aufnahmen den 75jährigen kurz vor seinem Tod Wandel der Physiognomie chronologisch angeordnete Photographien im Originalfarbton ihrer Zeit Kommentare über ihre Entstehun Porträtgalerie Klavier-Wundermann Fotografiegeschichte Literatur Biografien Erfahrungsberichte Musik Film Theater Biographien Autobiographien Liszt, Franz Musiker Erinnerungen Der Band veranschaulicht den Wandel der Physiognomie des ebenso charismatischen wie berühmten Pianisten und Komponisten anhand von 260 Originalaufnahmen und ist zugleich Geschichte von Kultur und Technik in der Frühzeit der Photographie.260 Originalphotographien Franz Liszts faszinierende, zum Grossteil nie zuvor veröffentlichte Bilddokumente. Sie zeigen den 32jährigen auf der Höhe seines Virtuosenruhmes, den 50jährigen und in erschütternden Aufnahmen den 75jährigen kurz vor seinem Tod. Die chronologisch angeordneten Photographien sind im Originalfarbton ihrer Zeit abgebildet, ergänzt durch Kommentare über ihre Entstehung und über die Tätigkeit der Photographen. Diese Frühzeit der Photographie endet fast gleichzeitig mit Liszts Tod 1886. Eine Porträtgalerie in 260 Fotografien, die den Klavier-Wundermann zeitgenössisch präsentieren. [Focus] Der Band veranschaulicht den Wandel der Physiognomie des ebenso charismatischen wie berühmten Pianisten und Komponisten anhand von 260 Originalaufnahmen und ist zugleich Geschichte von Kultur und Technik in der Frühzeit der Photographie. 260 Originalphotographien Franz Liszts – faszinierende, zum Grossteil nie zuvor veröffentlichte Bilddokumente. Sie zeigen den 32jährigen auf der Höhe seines Virtuosenruhmes, den 50jährigen und – in erschütternden Aufnahmen – den 75jährigen kurz vor seinem Tod. Die chronologisch angeordneten Photographien sind im Originalfarbton ihrer Zeit abgebildet, ergänzt durch Kommentare über ihre Entstehung und über die Tätigkeit der Photographen. Diese Frühzeit der Photographie endet fast gleichzeitig mit Liszts Tod 1886. Der Autor präsentiert alle 260 bis jetzt aufgespürten Fotografien von Liszt, darunter erstaunlich viele unbekannt gebliebene, in diesem auch drucktechnisch bestechend schönen Werk. Burgers begeleitende Texte berichten nobel zurückhaltend über Liszts schaffensreiches Leben und geben überdies fachkundige Einblicke in die Fotografiegeschichte. [Neue Zürcher Zeitung] "Das Buch streift die Sensation, und dies wohl nicht nur, weil für den Konsumenten im Medienzeitalter das Medium der Photographie eine nicht zu ignorierende Grösse darstellt. Ernst Burger hat wieder einmal ein erstaunliches Buch publiziert." (Festspielnachrichten Bayreuth) "Das hat es nie zuvor in Buchform gegeben: eines langen Lebens Reise durch ein einziges Menschengesicht. Ernst Burger hat jetzt die grandiose Kollektion in einem Staunen erregenden Bildband vorgelegt." (Berliner Morgenpost) Literatur Biografien Erfahrungsberichte Musik Film Theater Biographien Autobiographien Liszt, Franz Musiker Erinnerungen Thanks to his lifelong and unprecedented for a composer of his time fame, or notoriety if you like, his striking appearance, colourful life and fascinating personality, Franz Liszt was one of the most popular figures among the XIX century painters and his portraits are numerous. Rather unfortunately, however, most of them hardly show any likeness to that handsome and strangely spiritual face; very few, if any indeed, could capture something of the captivating charisma Liszt must surely have had. That's why we are so fortunate that Liszt's life coincided so nicely with the birth of photography. We are even more fortunate that the virtually complete collection of Liszt's photographs should have been prepared by no other but Ernst Burger himself. Herr Burger is well known to all Lisztians by his stupendous illustrated biography of the great composer, first published in German more than 20 years ago and nowadays shamefully out-of-print and hard-to-find (Franz Liszt. Eine Lebenschronik in Bildern und Dokumenten, List Verlag München, 1986). His last book on the subject fully lives up to the great expectations one would therefore have. It is slender than Eine Lebenschronik, but the presentation is equally sumptuous; the text is kept to minimum and concentrates more on the technical aspects on the different photographic techniques which were developed during Liszt's life, though it does tell little enough about the life of the great composer around the time when he was photographed. The volume also contains a fine preface by Ernst Burger summarising Liszt's life and personality quite nicely in just few paragraphs. But the highlight of the book, of course, are the 260 original photographs reproduced on the pages, almost all of them wonderfully preserved though some of the earliest ones disconcertingly remind one of watercolor portraits. No matter. With very few exceptions the photographs are real treasure and pure delight. Even though they were made at a time when photography was still in its infancy, and few of them can be called informal or casual, they reveal infinitely more about Liszt than all paintings, drawings, lithographs, marble busts or bronze reliefs you can find among the illustrations in other books. The 260 photographic portraits beautifully reproduced here, most of them of Liszt himself only but some together with friends or students, have a remarkable scope in time, to start with: the first ones date from June 1843, when Liszt was not yet 32 years old and in the middle of his stupefying virtuoso career, while the last ones are from 1 August 1886, made on the next day after Liszt's death and showing him on his deathbed. There are actually only two photographs - one original and one copy - with sufficiently good quality to have a tantalising idea of Liszt's appearance during his Glanzperiode, when he apparently made his audiences incoherent as much with his powerful yet subtle piano playing as with his handsome face, long hair and undeniable sex appeal. But the really compelling photos as far as Liszt's unique personality is concerned are those from his middle age, especially the ones made by Hanfstaengl and Petit, in 1858 and 1866 respectively. They capture Liszt's charisma, aura, charm, spell, you name it, infinitely more powerfully than any oil painting, no matter how skilfully done. It is a truly remarkable face that watches us from these old, yellowish photographs; not extremely beautiful but certainly handsome, radiating a singular calm yet giving the impression of immense spiritual force that lies behind. It is not hard to understand why Liszt's influence was so strong over virtually everybody who ever met him. As for Liszt's old age, the justly famous portraits of Nadar (Paris, March 1886) are nothing short of staggering, especially in terms of quality which puts to shame many a digital photo today. Even at 74 - as toothless old man with several big warts on his face who needed constant attention - there is something strangely benign and moving about Liszt's face; he looks transfigured. The contrast with the morbid pictures of Liszt on his deathbed could not have been greater. One of the most interesting photographs in the book, incidentally and unfortunately, is the one that shows us how much we must have lost. It is a ''Liszt-Tableau'' made in 1890 in Weimar by Louis Held, 10 to 15 cm originally but here elarged to full page, which shows a collection of some 50-60 photographs of Listz. No fewer than 22 of these were lost! As far as I know the book has never so far been translated into English, but since it has little text of small importance, Lisztians who don't speak German needn't be intimidated by any putative language barrier. Most of these 260 reproductions of original photographs are truly compelling. They speak a language that all may understand. The book is not cheap but it does worth its price all right, for it offers a most unique and profound glimpse into Liszt's inner world. Every true Lisztian must have it on his shelves. Pianist Komponist 260 Originalaufnahmen Geschichte von Kultur und Technik in der Frühzeit der Photographie ISBN-10 3-7774-9790-8 / 3777497908 ISBN-13 978-3-7774-9790-7 / 9783777497907 Ernst Burger Franz Liszt in der zeitgenössischen Photographie 260 Portraits 1843-1886 Hirmer Verlag München Hardcover 2003 4to (24 x 32 cm). 142 pp. 260 illustrations. ISBN: 3777497908. Gewicht/weight: 2000 gr.

Keywords: 260 Originalphotographien Franz Liszts nie zuvor veröffentlichte Bilddokumente auf der Höhe seines Virtuosenruhmes Aufnahmen den 75jährigen kurz vor seinem Tod Wandel der Physiognomie chronologisch angeordnete Photographien im Originalfarbton ihrer Zeit K