Episode 2 of 2

The Beethoven Legend

When
13 April 1823
Where
Vienna
Part of
Young Liszt performs in Vienna, congratulated by Beethoven

Beethoven allegedly kissed Liszt on the forehead during the concert, an act described as an artistic christening.

This anecdote is famous but disputed. Sources describe it as a 'reputed' event, suggesting potential embellishment. Beethoven was in Vienna during this time, completing major works, but his health was poor. The story lacks definitive contemporary verification.

Sources

  1. Franz Liszt Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-16
  2. Ludwig van Beethoven Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20

Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.