The next spring, accompanied by his father, he made a tour of the French provinces, and then set out for a second trip to England.  He was now fourteen; a mere boy in years, but called the greatest pianist of the day.  He had developed so quickly and was so precocious that already he disliked being called “le petit Litz,” for he felt himself full grown.  He wished to be free to act as he wished.  Adam, however, kept a strict watch on all his movements, and this became irksome to the boy, who felt he was already a man.

But father Liszt’s health became somewhat precarious; constant traveling had undermined it.  They remained in Paris quietly, till the year 1826, when they started on a second tour of French cities till Marseilles was reached, where the young pianist’s success was overwhelming.

Returning to Paris, Franz devoted much of his time to ardent study of counterpoint, under Anton Reicha.  In six months’ study he had mastered the difficulties of this intricate art.

Adam Liszt and Franz spent the winter of 1826-7 in Switzerland, the boy playing in all important cities.  They returned to Paris in the spring, and in May, set out again for England on a third visit.  Franz gave his first concert in London on June ninth and proved how much he had gained in power and brilliancy.  Moscheles, who was present, wrote:  “Franz Liszt’s playing surpasses in power and the overcoming of difficulties anything that has yet been heard.”

The strain of constant travel and concert playing was seriously telling on the boy’s sensitive, excitable nature.  He lost his sunny gaiety, grew quiet, sometimes almost morose.  He went much to church, and wanted to take orders, but his father prevented this step.  Indeed the father became alarmed at the boy’s pale face and changed condition, and took him to the French watering place of Boulogne-sur-Mer.  Here both father and son were benefited by the sea baths and absolute rest.  Franz recovered his genial spirits and constantly gained in health and strength.

But with Adam Liszt the gain was only temporary.  He was attacked with a fever, succumbed in a few days and was buried at Boulogne.  The loss of his father was a great blow to Franz.  He was prostrated for days, but youth at last conquered.  Aroused to his responsibilities, he began to think for the future.  He at once wrote his mother, telling her what had happened, saying he would give up his concert tours and make a home for her in Paris, by giving piano lessons.

Looking closer into his finances, of which he had no care before, Franz found the expenses of his father’s illness and death had exhausted their little savings, and he was really in debt.  He decided to sell his grand piano, so that he should be in debt to no one.  This was done, every one was paid off and on his arrival in Paris his old friend Erard invited him to his own home till the mother came.

It was a sweet and happy meeting of mother and son, after such a long separation.  The two soon found a modest apartment in the Rue Montholon.