‘Having visited in recent times many new countries, many diverse sites, many places hallowed by history and poetry, having felt that the various aspects of nature and of related scenes did not pass before my eyes as vain images, but that they aroused in my soul deep emotions; that there was established between them and me a vague but immediate relationship, and indefinite but real rapport, an inexplicable but definite communication, I have tried to express in music some of my strongest feelings, my most vivid perceptions.’ – Franz Liszt