museum over Franz Liszt

The Liszt-Haus in Weimar stands on Marienstraße 17, beside the Ilm Park. It was built in 1798–99 as the residence and office of the court gardener. The architect Johann Friedrich Rudolf Steiner designed the building. In 1819 the upper storey was remodelled in the classical style by Clemens Wenzeslaus Coudray and Carl Friedrich Christian Steiner. From 1854 the rooms served as studios for painters Friedrich Preller the Elder and Hermann Wislicenus.

The house is important because Franz Liszt lived there from 1869 until his death in 1886. Carl Alexander, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, provided the rooms for Liszt. The composer gave regular Sunday matinées in the music salon. A Bechstein grand piano and an Ibach instrument stand in the room where he taught pupils. The Bechstein firm donated the piano to the museum after Liszt’s death.

Visitors enter the upper floor and see the music salon with its two pianos. The adjoining study holds a large desk and a small writing desk, above which hangs a portrait relief of Carl Alexander. A simple bedroom contains the bed, washstand and chairs recorded in an 1887 inventory. A locked bookcase once held Liszt’s sheet music. The dining room displays furniture from Liszt’s possessions, while the servant’s room belonged to his valet Fortunato. On the ground floor a permanent exhibition tells of Liszt’s life as conductor, organiser and pianist.