Alright, so I've made a contradictory statement. But you have to admit that Liszt was a man of contradictions, that he was apparently deeply religious while also a notorios womanizer, that he did initially write the Etudes, as well as some Rhapsodies, the Grand Galop, etc... to display what he and nobody else could do, while also caring very much about the sanctity of music, teaching freely hundreds of students, devising the piano recital, symphonic poem, transcribing others' orchestral works for piano, etc... Liszt is the greatest champion the piano has, and I would never try to belittle his influnce or contribution, especially considering my talent vs. his. However, you must admit that some of his pieces are circus acts.