Franz Liszt's Grand Piano Sounds Again After Restoration

The famous composer is said to have taught on the grand piano until his death. The date of the presentation of the revised instrument could not have been more aptly chosen.

Just in time for the 213th birthday of the composer Franz Liszt, a grand piano used by him can now be played on again. The Klassik-Stiftung Weimar and the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar presented the instrument in the composer's former residence in Klassikstadt. The C. Bechstein company had restored the 1881 grand piano to playing condition free of charge, an idea that came from the university. The internationally renowned pianist Can Çakmur, who trained at the Weimar University of Music, played works by Liszt on the grand piano at the presentation.

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811 in the Kingdom of Hungary. He lived in Weimar from 1869 until his death in 1886, which occurred during the Bayreuth Festival. In the Liszt House, which can be visited today, he taught piano to international students, and the Bechstein grand piano that has now been restored was used for this purpose until recently.