Chapter 4 - Master Liszt in Manchester, 1825

Summary

SYNOPSIS

Liszt's unscheduled 1825 performance in Manchester of Czerny's Piano Concerto in F Major, his own improvisation on the Scots air “We're a’ Noddin” (see Illustration 10), and his compositional and/or extempore account in London of “I've been roaming’,” exhibit his amazing immediacy to engage with, or blend, various cultural genres. Again, see Illustration 8.

Liszt's pianistic exploits in London and Manchester certainly appear to have attracted the attention of Madame Vestris, Catherine Stephens, and other leading singers, who added the latter works to their repertory very shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, his precise compositional involvement with A New Grand Overture still remains a mystery.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

[15 June] Liszt and his father arrive at Ward's house in Cheetwood.

16 and 20 June Liszt performs twice at the Theatre Royal in Manchester.

21 June Liszt and his father leave Cheetwood for the Port of London.

22 June Liszt leaves the Port of London for Boulogne-sur-mere via Calais.

CORRESPONDENCE

There are no known letters written from or to Liszt or his father.

WORKS PERFORMED BY LISZT

16 June Liszt plays Czerny's Reichstadt Waltz, Op. 15 and Op. 28 Concerto, both with orchestral accompaniment “instead of Hummell's [sic]” Grand Concerto in A minor, Op. 85, “as announced.”

20 June After the premiere of his “A New Grand Overture,” Liszt performs Herz's Air, with Grand Variations and Ries's Grand Quintette [in B minor, Op. 74], together with Messers Cudmore [violin], E[dward] Sudlow [viola], [William] Sudlow [‘cello], and [Henry] Hill [double bass].

Arrangements regarding Liszt's “Miscellaneous Concert” engagements in Manchester on 16 and 20 June 1825 were finalised by mid-May of that year. These plans almost certainly forced Liszt to abandon a prior agreement that he had made with flautist Master Minasi to perform as guest artiste at Minasi's benefit concert at the New Argyll Rooms, London, on 17 June.