lisztomania

Nope, we are not talking about Phoenix today, we are talking about the REAL Lisztomania, surrounding Franz Liszt. It is his birthday this month, and our featured song is a moody piece believed to have been written for his friend Frédéric Chopin. Here, for your historical reference is a wikipedia blurb about "Listomania". I can believe it. He was the rockstar of his day, and a hottie (look at those cheekbones). "After 1842 "Lisztomania" swept across Europe. The reception Liszt enjoyed as a result can only be described as hysterical. Women fought over his silk handkerchiefs and velvet gloves, which they ripped to shreds as souvenirs. Helping fuel this atmosphere was the artist's mesmeric personality and stage presence. Many witnesses later testified that Liszt's playing raised the mood of audiences to a level of mystical ecstasy." SONG OF THE DAY: "Funérailles" - is the 7th piece in the collection of piano pieces by Franz Liszt entitled Harmonies poétiques et religieuses

(link for song -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRNy4pUTgWQ)