Liszt began his so-called third creative phase in the 1860s with his departure from Weimar and his move to Rome. During this time, he increasingly withdrew from public life, which was reflected in a strong turn toward self-reflection and a distancing from the public performance of his works—many compositions remained unperformed and unpublished during his lifetime. Orchestral works became less frequent, and the choral works composed after the oratorio 'Christus' are mostly for small ensembles and often without orchestral accompaniment. His songs and piano pieces also showed a tendency toward simplicity, with reduced structures, even in some works intended for a wider audience, such as the late Mephisto Waltzes and Rhapsodies. Apart from a few larger works such as dances, sacred compositions, and cycles, this selection mainly presents late character pieces for piano and arrangements of his own compositions. The psychiatrist Anthony Storr commented on this extraordinary collection, characterized by its enormous creative diversity and parallels to Beethoven's late quartets or Bach's "Musical Offering," in "The School of Genius." He described how artists in their later creative phase increasingly retreat into solitude and inner contemplation, seeking less interaction with others. In his final years, Liszt devoted himself intensely to the future of music and already had a premonition of the end of the Romantic era he had shaped. The works of this period should not be understood as mere experiments, but rather as the result of meticulous compositional work and new musical ways of thinking. A development toward more melancholic and deeply moving moods pervades Liszt's late works. He increasingly focused on the pursuit of innovation and the break with traditional means of expression. His music displays heightened expressiveness through novel harmonies, open forms, and the dissolution of conventional tonality. With his compositions, Liszt reflected the era in which he lived and anticipated musical currents later taken up by composers such as Debussy, Scriabin, Schoenberg, and Bartók. Personal experiences and intense emotions are reflected in his works. Through solo and chamber music as well as orchestral pieces, Liszt created a multifaceted and enduring musical legacy. His music is diverse and profound, shaping an entire epoch and influencing numerous composers of subsequent generations. Often, his music contains subtle humorous nuances, which are particularly evident in the 'Allegro intrepido'. Despite the serious and profound nature of many works, subtle humorous elements repeatedly emerge, making Liszt's compositions unique. In his interactions with other artists, Liszt also revealed his personal side and left behind a rich artistic legacy. The breadth of his output demonstrates Liszt's deep connection to music history and his passionate dedication to composition. With great dedication, he created new musical worlds whose creativity and innovative power continue to inspire musicians and music lovers worldwide.
