Liszt’s influence on contemporary composers is hard to overstate, but harder still to summarize. The lines of influence that radiate out from him are rarely clear and uncomplicated: some of his most fervent followers were extremely hostile towards each other (Balakirev and Smetana went head to head over opera productions in Prague), some of them also admired composers who had reservations about him (the Five regarded Schumann very highly) and Liszt himself maintained respect for composers who profoundly disagreed with each other (for example, Saint-Saëns and Wagner). His relationships with his contemporaries ranged from one-off meetings to extended contact and from occasional correspondence to intimate friendship. Even those who never met him could acknowledge his influence by dedicating works to him, or recognise the value of his music by including it in their repertoires and curricula. Liszt’s multifaceted career adds another layer of complexity, since his contemporaries might well appreciate his abilities in one sphere of musical life – as performer, teacher, celebrated personality or composer – while disliking his activities in another.