Magyar Örökségi Szemle July 1986. [antikvár]

hungárián heritage review H FROM THE EDITOR This month marks the lOOth anniversary of the death of Ferenc Liszt (July 31, 1886), one of the greatest Hungárián pianists, composers, conductors. and teachers of music of all time. Throughout the world, during this month of July, his musical bequest to humanity is being remembered with special concerts featuring his music, festivals of music, conferences, symposiums, lectures, exhibits, and many other gestures of appreciation. His never-to-be-forgotten "Hungárián Rhapsody No. 2" is being played by symphony orchestras around the world and listened to be millions of people. When this global celebration reaches its grand finale by the end of this Liszt Year, "Hungárián" will have become a household word around the world. In Hungary, where Ferenc Liszt was born on October 22, 1811, his musical genius is being commemorated within the Budapest Academy of Music, which he founded; at the beautiful Vigadó Concert Hall on the Danube embankment, where he conducted his famous oratorio "The Legend of St. Elizabeth"; at the Matthias Church on Castle Hill, where he was allowed only to listen to his "Coronation Mass" from the gallery; at the basilica consecrated to his music in historic Esztergom; at Szekszárd, where he frequently visited his good friend, Antal Augusz; and at Sopron, where a plaque on the wall of what was once the Casino Club marks the site of one of his debuts as a child prodigy. For the rest of this year, Hungary will be paying tribute to one of her greatest sons. But Hungary will alsó remember Ferenc Liszt for something other than just his musical contribution towards world civilization, for something he did which demonstrated his love for his native land. By 1838, the 27-year-old Ferenc Liszt had become a celebrated artist and a "fascinating, educated, and witty man-of-the-world". While visiting Venice, he heard the news of the catastrophic flood that had innundated the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Greatly moved by this tragedy, he immediately booked a series of concerts and donated all of the proceeds towards the reconstruction of the capital city of Hungary. This deed, motivated by his Hungárián consciousness, was recalled in a poem addressed to Ferenc Liszt by Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-1855). The very least we, of the Hungárián Heritage Review, can do in appreciation of what this great Hungárián gave to the whole world, is to dedicate this issue to his memory. You will find our commemorative article on Ferenc Liszt in our "Feature-of-the-Month" section beginning on Page 15. However, to provide enough space for this presentation, we had to juggle our formát around a wee bit and to postpone the publication of several ongoing features until next month. We hope that you will understand and appreciate why we had to do this and will not hold it against us. PAUL PULITZER Executive Editor