Liszt’s Story Continues with a New Generation
Festival3cities offers secondary school students a unique opportunity to discover the life and legacy of Franz Liszt through music, storytelling, and contemporary multimedia experiences.
A Festival with a Mission
Festival3cities – the Franz Liszt Festival was created not only to present world-class concert performances. Our ambition is also to rediscover and celebrate the extraordinary story of Franz Liszt, whose life is closely connected with Bratislava, and to pass this remarkable legacy on to future generations.
Educational concerts for secondary school students are therefore an integral part of our festival. Their aim is to introduce Franz Liszt in a way that speaks to today’s young audiences—clearly, dynamically, and without the stereotypes often associated with classical music.
A Venue of Historical Significance
Appropriately, these educational concerts will take place at the Grammar School on Grösslingová Street in Bratislava, formerly the Royal Catholic Grammar School where Adam Liszt, Franz Liszt’s father, studied. In this way, the festival symbolically returns Liszt’s story to a place deeply connected with his family’s history.
Music, Storytelling and Modern Technology
The concerts combine live piano performances with engaging stories about Liszt’s life, his extraordinary career, groundbreaking musical ideas, and his strong connection to Bratislava. Students will discover Liszt not only as a virtuoso pianist, composer, and innovator, but also as a remarkable personality who transcended the boundaries of classical music and became one of the first true European cultural celebrities.
The programme also incorporates contemporary presentation formats, including short films, multimedia elements, and parallels with today’s culture. Musical performances will be given by talented young pianists from Bratislava’s conservatories, creating a natural dialogue between generations through music.
Why Educational Concerts Matter
Educational concerts are an essential part of the festival’s long-term mission. We aim to cultivate young people’s appreciation of classical music, introduce them to the inspiring personality of Franz Liszt, and strengthen awareness that an important part of his remarkable life story belongs to Bratislava and Slovakia.
We believe that a festival should not only present exceptional artistic experiences but also inspire, educate, and nurture new audiences for classical music. The younger generation is our most important partner in carrying Liszt’s story forward into the future.