Lisztomania

Though Liztomania sounds like a country that may be placed squarely between Romania and Serbia, the word is really a precursor to Beatlemania or perhaps Justin Biebermania (if such a thing exists).  The name was given to the fervor associated with the famous Hungarian pianist (later turned composer) Franz Liszt. 

Back in the day, Franz pretty much tore it up.

The day—even if you are not enquiring—would have been in the 1840s.  Liszt was then a pianist in the prime of his life.  I bring all of this to light on the occasion that yesterday happened to be the 202^nd birthday of Franz Liszt.

Here is the thing (my apologies to any Lisztomanics yet out there), Franz Liszt has a (here it comes) liszt of contributions that he brought to the performance arts.

Franz Liszt was, literally, the world’s first music superstar.  At the peak of Lisztomania, women fought to garner his gloves or any other personal articles.  Some reports have women throwing their own articles of clothing onto the stage while he performed.   Liszt made so much money touring throughout Europe during his prime he gave away much of his income in later years to various charities.  He is even credited with inventing the term “recital.”

Franz Liszt, in a spark of brilliant showmanship, turned his piano to sit on profile with respect to the audience so that they could see his face and hands as he played.  He was the first person to regularly play music from memory rather than from scores.  While performing, he swayed and fluttered his hands in drama.  Franz tossed his shoulder-length hair back and forth.  He was the first performer to stride out and take his place on the stage at the beginning of a concert and once there, the audience soon fell into what seemed a spell—a spell created by the power of his total commitment to the performance.  Some consider him the best pianist that ever lived. 

And then, while in his 30s, Franz Liszt walked away from the spotlight and the fame to concentrate on composition and conducting.

--Mitchell Hegman