Carl Tausig

Carl Tausig was born in Warsaw, Poland on November 4, 1841. A child prodigy, he went to Liszt for further studies in 1855. Liszt introduced him to Wagner, who took Tausig under his wing only to dispatch him a short time later. Wagner complained "his furious piano playing makes me tremble." Tausig continued performing and, during a visit to Vienna, forged a friendship with Brahms. Tausig retired from 1862 to 1865 and married Seraphine von Brabely in 1864. He resumed his concert career in 1865 and toured throughout Europe. The Tausigs settled in Berlin, but Carl died on July 17, 1871 of typhoid fever. He was widely regarded as one of the most brilliant of all of Liszt's many pupils. Tausig also composed a good deal of piano music, both original works and transcriptions.