SAN DIEGO — “The Naked Liszt" gives an intimate look at the life, love and music of celebrated Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. World renowned pianist Cecil Lytle will perform a selection of the composer’s favorite pieces — with a twist. Each piece of music will be introduced by a reading of a letter to, from or about Liszt and his music, creating a vibrant image of the life of the influential 19th century musician. The concert, which benefits undergraduate scholarships at the University of California, San Diego, takes place at 3 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall on the UC San Diego campus.

“Everyone in my generation remembers the Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry cartoons spoofing Franz Liszt,” said Lytle, UC San Diego professor emeritus and former provost of Thurgood Marshall College. “But they may not know that he was, and probably remains to be, the most extraordinary pianist of his era, whose celebrity attracted the attention of every king, queen, pope and czar of Europe and Russia. Liszt's bicentennial year is the perfect time to bring the full measure of this remarkable artist to everyone's attention.”

In addition to the performance, and in honor of Liszt’s 200th birthday, “bicentennial cake” and refreshments will be served at intermission. The tribute is part of a worldwide celebration of Liszt, honoring this seminal figure of the Romantic movement in music.

“The Naked Liszt” benefits the Lytle Scholarship Endowment, which supports outstanding graduates of the Preuss School UCSD who choose to attend UC San Diego’s Thurgood Marshall College. A nationally ranked public charter school, the Preuss School UCSD provides intensive college preparatory education for motivated students from low-income families who will be the first in their families to attend college. Since its establishment in 1995, the Endowed Lytle Scholarships have helped dozens of students to achieve their dreams at UC San Diego.  

For Michelle Vazquez, a third-year student studying psychology, receiving a Lytle Scholarship was a blessing of financial and motivational support. A first-generation, low-income student, Vasquez works a part-time job to help support her family and help pay for her education. Thanks to the scholarship, Vasquez has been able to reduce the number of hours she works and spend more time focusing on school.

“All of the little things add up,” said Vazquez. “When it comes to scholarship support, every little bit helps. I am so grateful to know that there’s someone who cares enough about my education to help fund it. Knowing that is a constant source of motivation to work hard through college.”

The Lytle Scholarship Concert is at 3 p.m. Jan. 30 in UC San Diego’s Conrad Prebys Concert Hall. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $10 for students. Proceeds from tickets sales and 100 percent of additional donations go towards the Lytle Scholarship Endowment, and contribute to UC San Diego’s $50 million student support campaign, Invent the Future. Tickets are available online. For further information, call (858) 534-1507.