Frenzy among 19th-century audiences, fueled by Lisztomania
In the early 19th century, classical music began to experience a shift, veering away from the stuffy confines of church and court, and towards a more passionate and dramatic realm. This transformation was largely spearheaded by the enigmatic figure of Franz Liszt, a pianist and composer whose performances and compositions left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Before Liszt, there were glimpses of rock-star behaviour in the classical music sphere. Musical duels, such as the one between Mozart and Clementi, and the fame of celebrated countertenor and diva Farinelli, hinted at the potential for wild adoration in the world of classical music. However, it was Liszt who truly set the stage ablaze.
Liszt's stardom was preceded by that of the violinist Paganini, whose technical prowess and unconventional performances captivated audiences. In 1832, Liszt, enthralled by Paganini's performance, declared that the piano's technical possibilities could be developed in a similar manner. Paganini himself was known for preparing the strings on his violin to snap, further fuelling the excitement of his audiences.
When Liszt took the stage in the 1840s, the world was not prepared for the intensity of his performances. His dramatic gestures, such as smashing pianos, sent crowds into a frenzy, leading to the coining of the term "Lisztomania." This adoration was unlike anything anyone had witnessed before in the history of music, with Liszt being seen as a god.
The behaviour of Liszt's fans was described by German writer Heinrich Heine as "veritable insanity," likening it to a disease that had spread throughout Europe. Fans wore Liszt's portrait on brooches, fought over locks of his hair, and attempted to obtain broken piano strings and coffee dregs as mementos.
Liszt's compositions, such as the 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies, are a testament to his virtuosic prowess. Despite dying before the age of recordings, his music lives on, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary talent of this revolutionary musician.
Liszt's aesthetic was quintessentially romantic, set against a backdrop of new ideas, longing, passion, and terror in a post-French revolution world. His orchestral compositions, filled with passion, fire, and emotion, paved the way for the hyper romanticism of the late 19th century.
The Faust Symphony, one of Liszt's most emotionally supercharged works, is a prime example of his romantic style. This symphony, along with the rest of Liszt's oeuvre, continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike, over a century after the height of Lisztomania.
Paganini, too, took the definition of "virtuoso" to an entirely new level. Legends persist that he sold his soul to the devil to pay for his skill. Whether true or not, there is no denying the impact these two musicians had on the world of classical music, setting a precedent for the wild adoration and rock-star behaviour that would become synonymous with the music industry in the centuries to come.
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