Classical music buffs aside, many of us have heard the legendary works of Franz Liszt without even realizing the identity of their iconic creator.

Franz Liszt was not just any historic composer. He was and STILL IS an icon – and to this day his gift of music continues to finds its way in the pop-culture world we live in.

Liszt was the epitome of the piano virtuoso, the inventor of the piano recital, a pioneer of playing music from memory, and a mastermind music promoter. In a short international pianistic career he achieved a legendary renown, in spite of unfortunately dying early in a high-octane paced lifestyle.

Even though you may not realize it, you've probably heard the pieces of Liszt almost as much as a Britney Spears song. Liszt's “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2”  is famous for its use in many cartoons and movies such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and A Night in Casablanca and Liszt's most famous piece, his “Wedding March,” can be heard at virtually every woman's dream day.

In addition to his music, the man was known for living like an ancestral version of a rock star: partying late into the morning, entering into love affairs with many women (some of which were married), and being the idol gossip of those around him. Liszt was the very definition of a celebrity back in his time, with historians referencing the phrase "Lisztomania" for his eccentric style of performance fueled by rabid, adoring fans.

200 years from the day of his birth, Franz Liszt is still as influential in music as he ever was and you can fully experience his genius with the LISZT WILD AND CRAZY 2-disc set.

This is a revelatory compilation of Liszt's most daring and virtuosic piano music with just occasional moments of relaxation. The album starts the way it means to continue with the startling first strumming chords of the Mephisto Waltz. It proceeds through the spooky harmonies of La lugubre gondola and ventures on to the obsessiveness of Totentanz.

With artists of the calibre of Géza Anda, Martha Argerich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Jorge Bolet, Shura Cherkassky, Vladimir Horowitz, Zoltán Kocsis, Lang Lang, Alice Sara Ott, Mikhail Pletnev, Sviatoslav Richter and Yundi Li, listeners are assured of some unmatchable recorded performances that capture the spirit and sheer awesomeness of LISZT!

Image of Alice Sara Ott courtesy of Esther Haase. Image of Daniel Barenboim and Yundi Li are courtesy of © Felix Broede / DG