Recently I’m very interested in Franz Liszt’s life, his music and his musical talent and while reading about his life story, I found that his popularity was even much more than I had imagined !
His killer charm made so many ladies crazy, to the point that they created a word for it, it was called “ Lisztomania “ which had never happened before at such an intensity.
In fact, it was so intense, that people thought it was some kind of disease, a “ fever “, and they had people who suffered from this “fever “ go to the doctor to see what it was and how to “cure “ it.
And the funny thing is they couldn’t figure out why this “ fever “ was only caused by one person - Franz Liszt.
What is Lisztomania ?
Here is the link for the explanation about Lisztomania,
Here is the link for the explanation about Lisztomania,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Franz_Liszt
“Lisztomania or Liszt fever is a term used to describe the intense fan frenzy directed toward Franz Liszt during his performances. This frenzy first occurred in Berlin in 1841.”
“The word is a portmanteau of "Liszt" and "mania". Lisztomania was characterized by intense levels of hysteria demonstrated by fans.”
“Author Dana Gooley argues that Heine's use of the term "Lisztomania" was not used in the same way that "Beatlemania" was used to describe the intense emotion generated towards The Beatles in the 20th century.
Instead, Lisztomania had much more of a medical emphasis because the term "mania" was a much stronger term in the 1840s, whereas in the 20th century "mania" could refer to something as mild as a new popular fashion or craze.
Lisztomania began to be seen as a real medical condition that was contagious, and critics tried to take measures to immunize the public against the condition “
Unlike nowadays, my image of 19th century is very traditional, conservative generation and ladies were more like waiting for men’s approach rather than approaching actively to men by themselves, especially in the bourgeois world.
But according to this information, these ladies became crazy and their action sounds very aggressive and passionate when it comes to Franz Liszt.
“ Lisztomania was characterized by a hysterical reaction to Liszt and his concerts. Liszt's playing was reported to raise the mood of the audience to a level of mystical ecstasy.
Admirers of Liszt would swarm over him, fighting over his handkerchiefs and gloves.
Fans would wear his portrait on brooches and cameos. Women would try to get locks of his hair, and whenever he broke a piano string, admirers would try to obtain it in order to make a bracelet.
Some female admirers would even carry glass phials into which they poured his coffee dregs.“
So it means, until Liszt appeared , there was no one who made these kind of fanatic fandom who was characterized by a hysterical reaction ?
So it means, until Liszt appeared , there was no one who made these kind of fanatic fandom who was characterized by a hysterical reaction ?
This is amazing.
What makes these ladies act like that ?
Was it his skill ?
It’s not like you can take a class and learn how to attract tons of people like crazy , and if it’s easy, why so many other talented people or people who have good looks can not attract many people like Liszt ?
Popularity is one of the things I’m very interested in.
Was it his skill ?
It’s not like you can take a class and learn how to attract tons of people like crazy , and if it’s easy, why so many other talented people or people who have good looks can not attract many people like Liszt ?
Popularity is one of the things I’m very interested in.
In present time, “ fandom “ is not so unusual thing anymore, since we have been seeing fanatic fans reaction for Beatles and Presley, ( they might be the next biggest one after Lisztomania. ).
But it still amazed me when I actually saw and heard the fan’s reaction , for example in figure skating world , rock star skaters such as Johnny Weir, when I heard Johnny Weir fans reaction such as burning the expensive ticket while crying because he was unable to attend the ice show, etc.. I was like what makes people act like that ?
But it still amazed me when I actually saw and heard the fan’s reaction , for example in figure skating world , rock star skaters such as Johnny Weir, when I heard Johnny Weir fans reaction such as burning the expensive ticket while crying because he was unable to attend the ice show, etc.. I was like what makes people act like that ?
But these Lisztomania sounds even much more aggressive, lol fighting to get his handkerchiefs and gloves ??
Framing his cigar pipe, and making a bracelet with the strings of the piano which Liszt was playing ??
Getting to the point of ridiculous, no ??
While reading all about Liszt , I’m even more curious and wish that I could have seen his live concert performance.
Framing his cigar pipe, and making a bracelet with the strings of the piano which Liszt was playing ??
Getting to the point of ridiculous, no ??
While reading all about Liszt , I’m even more curious and wish that I could have seen his live concert performance.
Besides his super talented music skill, he also sounds like a very effort type , always looking to see how to improve even more.
Saint Saens ( who I consider as one of the best composers ) was an admirer of Liszt and he was saying that many people were jealous of Liszt ( maybe his charisma ? ), and that the music critics of the time often bashed Liszt as a music composer, and they were only admitting and complimenting his performance, but Saint Saens said Liszt was a wonderful composer as well, not only an amazing performer.
Saint Saens ( who I consider as one of the best composers ) was an admirer of Liszt and he was saying that many people were jealous of Liszt ( maybe his charisma ? ), and that the music critics of the time often bashed Liszt as a music composer, and they were only admitting and complimenting his performance, but Saint Saens said Liszt was a wonderful composer as well, not only an amazing performer.
According to the information I’ve read, it seems that Saint Saens was a very difficult and opinionated person , and I feel that’s why all his music is so good, perfectly fantastic.
I will write about Saint Saens ( one of my favorite composers ) in my next post.
I will write about Saint Saens ( one of my favorite composers ) in my next post.