Raoul Wallenberg (1912-?)

In 1938, the Hungarian government created laws similar to those created in Germany in 1935. These laws punished Jews for being Jews. Because of these laws, thousands of Jews lost their jobs. In 1940, the Hungarian government committed itself to supporting the German government. As a result, the Hungarian army joined the German army in the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

Raoul Wallenberg was born in 1912 near Stockholm, Sweden. After high school, he studied for a year in Paris. Then he went to a university in the United States and studied architecture. He graduated in 1935.

Theodor Herzl (1860-1904)

Theodor Herzl was born on May 2, 1860 in Pest, Hungary. His family was Jewish and lived in a house next to the Great Synagogue. Even so, he grew up speaking German and not practicing Judaism.

In 1878 Herzl moved with his family to Vienna. In 1884 he graduated from the University of Vienna with a doctoral degree in law. He then worked as a lawyer in Vienna and Salzburg, but only for a year.

In 1891 he became the Paris reporter for the New Free Press of Vienna.

Budapest: Great Synagogue (1859, 1996)

In Budapest, near the center of the city, there is a synagogue on Dohány Street. It is called the Great Synagogue for good reasons. It is the largest synagogue in Europe. Almost 3,000 people can sit comfortably in it. It is also one of the most beautiful.

Franz Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (1847)

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811. He died July 31, 1886 at the age of 74. He was the best pianist of his time. He was also a great teacher, composer, and conductor.

From 1839 to 1847, Liszt performed as a pianist all over Europe. In February 1847, while performing in Kiev, he met a princess named Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. The two fell in love and lived together for many years.

Later in 1847 Liszt wrote his famous Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. This song is one of 19 compositions which he based on Hungarian folk music.

Valentina Lisitsa was born in Kiev in 1973 and first performed as a pianist in public at the age of 4. One of her performances of Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 was recorded in 2010.

Copyright © 2012 by Steven Farsaci. All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.

Franz Liszt: Later Life (1839-1886)

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811. He died July 31, 1886 at the age of 74. He was the best pianist of his time. He was also a great teacher, composer, and conductor.

In our essay of April 6, we discussed Franz Liszt’s early life. Today we will talk about his later life.

Franz Liszt: Early Life (1811-1839)

Franz Liszt was born on October 22, 1811. He died July 31, 1886 at the age of 74. He was the best pianist of his time. He was also a great teacher, composer, and conductor.

1. Hungary (1811-1822)

Liszt was born in the German-speaking village of Doborján in the Kingdom of Hungary. His father, Ádám Liszt, played the piano, violin, and guitar. His father also knew the composers Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Budapest: Hungarian Parliament Building (1904)

The Hungarian Parliament Building is in Budapest, the capital, and sits on the eastern bank of the Danube River. It remains the largest building in the country.

In 1880 the Hungarian parliament held an international competition for the design of the building. This competition was won by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl. Construction began in 1885. The building opened in 1896 as part of celebrations marking the 1000^th anniversary of the settlement of Hungarians in the valley of the Danube River. Construction was finished in 1904.