I have heard about such a contest in which Liszt played one of his pieces
and Thalberg played his (Thalberg's) "Niobe" fantasy.  There is also an
account of a Parisienne who remarked on this or some other occasion (I
don't remember which) "Thalberg est le premier pianiste du monde, Liszt est
le seul!" ("Thalberg is the world's first pianist, Liszt is the only!")

Aaron J. Rabushka
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