Maestro Franz Liszt at Weimar

In 1848 Franz Liszt arrives as Hofcapellmeister in Weimar, where the sympathetic Grand Duchess wants him to compose and to produce musical works as well as to direct the court orchestra, while her guest, Prince Wittgenstein, is concerned because Liszt takes a great interest in furthering the careers of other composers, especially Richard Wagner. Liszt explains that his mission is to serve music by bringing recognition to neglected geniuses and therefore produces Wagner's opera Tannhauser., A Teaching Film Custodians classroom film of excerpts from the 1960 Columbia Pictures feature film, "Song Without End". In 1848 Franz Liszt arrives as Hofcapellmeister in Weimar as the protege of Duchess Marie Pawlovna. The film depicts Liszt's work in music composition, his direction of the court orchestra at Weimar, his romance with Princess Carolyn Sayn-Wittgenstein, and stresses his dedication to the art of music in his recognition of the genius of Richard Wagner and sponsorship of a performance of Wagner's opera Tannhauser over the opposition of adherents of classicism.