The American Liszt Society will return to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Sept. 28-30 for its 2026 festival, marking its first gathering on campus since 2010.
The event will bring musicians, scholars and audiences together for concerts, lectures and discussions centered on the theme "Toward Re-Enchantment: Beauty as a Portal to the Sacred."
For Paul Barnes, Marguerite Scribante Professor of Piano in the Glenn Korff School of Music and the festival's artistic director, the theme reflects a belief that music can connect listeners with something larger than themselves.
"The theme is something that's very, very dear to my heart personally, because that's exactly how music has functioned in my life," Barnes said. "It's functioned as a portal to the sacred."
The festival also will showcase the Glenn Korff School of Music's transformed facilities while bringing internationally recognized performers, scholars and composers to campus. Barnes said the event is an opportunity to highlight the university's musical ensembles and students.
"I wanted to show off what we've got," he said. "I want to show off the orchestra. I'm going to show off the choirs. I'm very, very excited about that."
Barnes said interest in the theme generated an enthusiastic response after it was announced at last year's festival.
"When I announced that theme at last year's festival, everybody got incredibly excited," he said. "I just got bombarded with proposals."
That response helped shape a festival schedule featuring performances, lectures, discussions and premieres exploring spirituality, beauty and transcendence through music. Featured guests will join Nebraska faculty and students in events throughout the three-day gathering.
A centerpiece of the festival will be a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in Kimball Recital Hall. The program will feature music rooted in chant traditions, including Franz Liszt's "Via Crucis," performed by pianist Nicholas Susi and the University Singers. Pianist Richard Fountain will perform Liszt's "Totentanz" and the UNL Symphony Orchestra will present the tone poems "Les Préludes" and "From the Cradle to the Grave."
The festival also will emphasize contemporary composers, continuing a tradition associated with Liszt's support of new music. Scheduled world premieres include Andrew Fowler's "The Ship" and Sawyer Gage's "Divine Aspirations," alongside recently published works by living composers.
"Liszt was such a proponent of contemporary music in his day," Barnes said. "Almost all Liszt Festivals feature the work of younger composers because he had such an amazing heart for other people and promoting other composers."
Barnes said presenting new music remains one of the festival's most important traditions.
"Whenever you get together to celebrate Liszt, what you're really celebrating is the future," he said. "And that's a great thing to celebrate, and it gives people energy."
Among the featured guests is Alan Walker, author of a landmark three-volume biography of Liszt. Walker, 96, is scheduled to present a lecture, "Génie Oblige! — Genius Carries Obligations," drawn from Liszt's belief that artists have a responsibility to share their gifts in service to others.
"That was Liszt's motto," Barnes said. "If you've been gifted by God and you develop those gifts, you have a responsibility to share those."
The festival's keynote address will be delivered by theologian Junius Johnson. His presentation shares the festival theme, "Toward Re-Enchantment: Beauty as a Portal to the Sacred."
Additional highlights include a recreation of the famous 19th-century musical rivalry between Liszt and pianist Sigismond Thalberg, performed by pianists Asiya Korepanova and Mark Viner, and performances of music by Olivier Messiaen for multiple pianos.
The festival also will feature performers with Nebraska ties, including Fountain, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumnus who serves as dean and professor of piano in the School of Creative Arts at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.
Fountain said he is looking forward to reconnecting with fellow Liszt enthusiasts while introducing visitors to the university's music facilities and the city of Lincoln.
"As much as I look forward to the musical content at every festival, what I'm most looking forward to are two things: reconnecting with my friends from all over the USA and the world who love Liszt and are devoted to his philanthropic spirit, and introducing those friends to the wonderful new music facilities at UNL as well as the great food and recreation available around Lincoln," Fountain said.
Organizers expect 125 to 150 registered participants, in addition to performers, audience members and UNL students, who will receive free admission to festival events.
The festival also will provide opportunities for students to perform alongside internationally known artists and educators. Barnes said those connections often have a lasting impact.
"There's a good chance they're going to meet their future graduate school teacher," he said.
Barnes said the society's culture of mentorship and support is one of its defining characteristics.
"Everybody is there because we love the music," he said. "We love Liszt's ministry and musical message. We're there to support each other and celebrate Liszt's view of life."
For more information about the festival or to register, visit the American Liszt Society's festival website.
