THALBERG, SIGISMOND (FORTUN FRANOIS)

born Jan. 8, 1812, Geneva, Switz. died April 27, 1871, Posillipo, Italy the leading rival of Franz Liszt as a virtuoso pianist. Thalberg began performing at the age of 14 in Viennese salons. In 1830 he toured Germany and England, and in 1834 he assumed the post of court pianist in Vienna. In 1836 he moved to Paris, where a famous rivalry developed with Liszt. His many tours included concerts in Brazil and the United States. Like most 19th-century virtuosos, Thalberg primarily played his own compositions. His technique was praised for its legato, and his specialty was playing a melody in the middle of the keyboard and surrounding it with rapid figuration. His many compositions were mainly for piano and in a virtuosic vein, including a considerable number of fantasies based on operatic themes.