Liszt wrote the Grosses Konzertsolo in 1849-50 for a piano competition at the Paris Conservatoire, and dedicated it to Adolf Henselt. In this work Liszt was experimenting with new means of expression. According to his memoirs, the work was so difficult that even Henselt could not manage it, and the premiere was given by Tausig. The dedication of the Sonata (Liszt's only extant work with this title and form) is to Schumann, who had, long beforehand, dedicated his C major Fantasy to Liszt.

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