Before Beatlemania, There Was Lisztomania

People went wild at Franz Liszt’s concerts. No exaggeration. With his long hair and theatrical style, Liszt played with intensity and passion, revolutionizing the way classical music was performed. And Lisztomania swept across Europe in the 19th century.

#FranzLiszt #budapest #composer

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[treenutspeanuts]

“Lisztomania,
Think less but see it grow,
Like a riot, like a riot oh!
Not easily offended
Not hard to let it go,
From a mess to the masses!”

[remsan]

Liszt looked like a God and played like one.
Women used to collect his used cigar buds - making necklaces out of those. The same for the piano strings he broke -and there were a lot of those. They asked - and then just grabbed - locks of his hair. So much so that Liszt had to keep a dog just to shear of its fur for the multitudes of fans. So, Lisztomania is no exaggeration.

[A_]

Paganini was also a "rockstar"

[bobbobs]

La Campanella is one of the most sublime pieces of music ever constructed. I can sincerely picture him standing up and banging his head during the climax.

[naomisilverio]

on top of all that, Franz was a hell of a good-looking guy!

[yungchangsta]

“Ladies fell in love with him because of his piano playing”



Franz Lizst: my maidens, calm down… see what these fingers do 😈

[pogeman]

The fact it's called Lisztomania and not Paganinimania should already tell you which one was the bigger superstar during the age.

[wesk]

Ladies would chase Paganini around back in the day. He was so good that some say he sold his soul to the Devil. Recently, there was a movie, albeit pretty bad, made about him with a real star violinist playing the title role.

[liutjinsiu]

Seriously a pianist
Na that's bullpoo he's not just a pianist his music incredible fantastic beautiful exilirating intimidating complex and powerfull this is better than any pop musician just listen to his pieces and you'll see a world of exitement and thrill rather then a song that is exiting yet not as powerfull not even close

[maddielovelee]

There's a song by Phoenix and I just realized now what they're talking about... When you don't get the joke till years later 🤔🤯

[MizzKittyBichon]

"Franz Liszt, a pianist. Seriously, a pianist."
MWA! GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY!

[Unlucky]

Franz Liszt is amazing I'm glad that place exist in the world.

[niamhoconnor]

How can people claim to like music but never have heard of Franz Liszt?

[darkhafgor]

For those wondering, the piece at 2:01 is Liebestraum no 3

[jibk]

YES was just telling someone about Lisztomania a few days ago and now this video comes out -- perfect timing!!

[simone]

When it comes to Liszt, I prefer the piano renditions of Alicia de Larrocha. Her La Campanilla is most exquisite. If you have a couple of minutes to spare, please take a listen. 🌸🎶

[WomanSlayer]

Liszt: I paid for the whole piano, I’m gonna use the whole piano.

[WorgenGrrl]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozat: Am I a joke to you?

[meowypotter]

I can imagine Lizzy Bennet and her sisters dropping the beat....

[richdisilvio]

Ode to Franz Liszt

Oh divine mystical Father ye touched this man's soul
Yet forsaking his carcass predators took their toll
While enduring lashes, the venomous serpent’s tongue,
Liszt's magnanimous spirit enhanced both old and young

A prophetic voice borne on the golden wings of time
Transcends the beat of the human drum... ever sublime

Ancient strategic dots that plot a masterful score
Slumber for a century till given life once more
Clay digits cascade over ivories, black and white
Summoning reveries that croon and howl in the night

More profound than the Pole or diverse than all his peers
Liszt’s rich tapestry of sound soaks in blood, sweat and tears

Once Prometheus bound his exhumed spirit now soars
Enlightening future generations, both mine and yours
Enraptured by a Lisztian whirlwind of vivid sound
Heaven joyously splits open... a hero is crowned.

-- Richard DiSilvio