The Great Liszt Marathon is a true world-class sensation: in a single day, across three concerts, audiences will hear Franz Liszt’s complete 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies, the 12 Transcendental Études, the 6 Paganini Études, numerous other major works by Liszt, and his crowning masterpiece, the Sonata in B Minor. Pianist János Balázs undertakes nothing less than guiding listeners through the oeuvre of Hungary’s greatest musical genius, creating a musical experience that is both unique and unrepeatable.
In János Balázs’s interpretation, the legacy of Franz Liszt is far more than a sequence of printed scores; it is a reflection of the full spectrum of human existence—from the fiery virtuosity of youth to transcendent spiritual depths, from the rhapsodies of the Hungarian soul to the philosophical questing of Liszt’s final years. Presented as part of the Cziffra Festival, this marathon condenses Liszt’s infinite artistic universe into a single monumental day.
According to Balázs’s artistic credo, this undertaking is far more than a display of technical brilliance: it is a genuine spiritual initiation through which performer and audience alike may journey together along the decisive milestones of Liszt’s life and artistic development. The concert series ascends some of the most demanding—and most beautiful—summits of the piano repertoire.
From the very beginning, the extraordinary variety of works on offer—from the dramatic Dante Sonata and the poetic Funérailles to dazzling operatic paraphrases and Spanish folk-inspired motifs—draws upon every hidden resource of the piano. Later, the twelve Transcendental Études and the six Paganini Études demonstrate how, in Liszt’s hands, the pushing of technical boundaries is always transformed into profound spiritual expression.
At the end of this journey, following the flowing stream of melodies in the nineteen Hungarian Rhapsodies, the monumental Sonata in B Minor brings a moment of contemplation and repose, opening new horizons for the listener. This exceptional day offers both devoted music lovers and curious newcomers the opportunity—even if attending only one of the concerts—to discover, through János Balázs’s artistry, answers to the enduring question of why the passion for piano playing remains eternal. At the same time, it is a tribute to the spiritual legacy of György Cziffra, whose artistry inspired not only János Balázs but countless musicians on their own paths toward artistic fulfillment.
For further information about the three concerts and ticket purchases, please visit