Ferenc List, Liebesträume

This is a romantic biographical film about Franz Liszt. In a distinguished saloon of Paris, the unknown composer, Liszt, defeats the renown Thalberg at a piano competition. Through his playing, he wins the favours and later the hand of the countess D'Agoult. A daughter is born in their marriage, Cosima. Liszt is better and better known, Marie introduces him to the circle of artists. His short love-affair with the dancer Lola Montez ends with the break-up of his marriage. He then travels to St. Petersburg with his business manager. He gets acquainted the with the silent and beautiful Carolyne after one of his Kiev concerts. She is to become the greatest love of his life. They travel to Weimar together. Carolyne's relatives try to prevent her divorce by petitioning to the pope, and the deeply religious woman breaks down upon learning he news. The ageing Liszt escapes to the world of composing. He is appointed to be the director of the newly established Musical Academy of Budapest, but his private life is lonely. Cosima is more interested in society. Liszt dies abandoned, in the arms of his manservant. (Verleiher-Text)