### Clue: So predecessor briefly thanks said composer who accepts a lot? (8)
### Answer: FATALIST 
 ### Explanation: Definition: who accepts a lot
 FA(the syllable preceding/the predecessor of "so" in the sol-fa representation of a music scale) + TA(short for/briefly "thanks") + **homophone of**(said) "Liszt"(Franz, Hungarian composer).
Defn: One who accepts his/her lot/luck/situation in life.