Opening the event held in the framework of Hungary' EU presidency, Consul-General Balazs Bokor praised Liszt as an outstanding composer, pianist and teacher, who left an unquestionably marked influence on today's music.

At a seminar five Hungarian and international music experts gave presentations about the composer's life and work. Professor Walter Arlen, who had been a music critic of the Los Angeles Times for over 20 years, spoke about his memories for Doborjan, Liszt's home village, what is today Raiding near the Austrian-Hungarian border. Polish-born professor and pianist Wojciech Kocyan assessed Liszt's marked influence on modern music. Music Director of the California Jacaranda Music Society, Mark Alan Hilt, spoke in detail about the piece Via Crucis, which he had recited not long ago in one of the major concert halls of Los Angeles.

The evening ended with the opening of an exhibition on Liszt's life and a concert with Hungarian pianist Judit Gabos performing Liszt works.