About
Virtuoso Romantic-era musician who became one of the 19th century's most authoritative conductors and one of its most influential composers.
Before Fame
He was one of Franz Liszt's earliest students and later married Liszt's daughter, Cosima.
Trivia
He helped Richard Strauss obtain his first regular job as a conductor.
Family Life
He and Cosima divorced in 1870, after she left him for composer Richard Wagner, one of his chief inspirations.
Associated With
He became the first to perform the complete cycle of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas; he performed the cycle from memory.
