Franz Liszt was a superstar of the 19th century, a piano virtuoso whose performances inspired a frenzy known as 'Lisztomania.' He was the first pianist to perform entire recitals from memory and to turn the piano sideways so the audience could see his face and hands. Liszt pushed the technical limits of the piano, inspired by the violin wizardry of Paganini. His 'Hungarian Rhapsodies' and 'Années de pèlerinage' are milestones of Romantic piano music. He was also an innovator in composition, developing the 'symphonic poem' and the concept of 'thematic transformation.' In his later years, he took holy orders in the Catholic Church and became known as Abbé Liszt. As a teacher and conductor, he was a tireless advocate for other composers, including Richard Wagner and Hector Berlioz.