The Author: Rich DiSilvio

As a native New Yorker, Mr. DiSilvio has exhibited a strong passion in art, architecture, history and music. His formative years included attending two colleges and a private art academy. His interest in architecture, history, fine art and new media led to his pursuit and considerable success in each discipline.

His personal studies, totaling well over 16 years, in history and Classical Music have yielded not only his recent tome on Western Civilization "The Winds of Time", but naturally The Franz Liszt Site and the Peter Tchaikovsky Page, which were both published in 1999.

Previously, DiSilvio published his Pantheon of Composers porcelain collection in 1992. This particular project was in conjunction with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and consisted of his artwork, of eight great composers, being reproduced on collector plates, mugs and other fine porcelain ware. DiSilvio's music-related projects have all enjoyed a welcoming international reception, yet interestingly enough, The Franz Liszt Site has eclipsed the others in popularity.

Since its first publication online, the Liszt Site has received accolades from professional musicians, college professors, music students and the music loving public. Many universities and high schools utilize the site for research, and Mr. DiSilvio's knowledge on Liszt has become a valuable resource for many professional writers and journalists for their own projects.

The Franz Liszt Site generates over 22,000 hits per month, and has been the top listed site on Liszt for many years in the search engines. It still currently holds a top rating on Google, among many others.

Numerous users of the site have written of their appreciation of the unique insights into the life and works of Franz Liszt, which have enlightened many to obscure aspects of this 19th century master. Many are also drawn to Liszt's works that have rarely, or in some cases never, been analyzed before from a psychological perspective. Although the site also maintains a fairly standard biography of Liszt that majority of visitors contend that it is unquestionably DiSilvio's personal views in his "Commentary", "Liszt and Modern Music" article, "Recommended Recordings", "Timeline", or even his "Ode to Franz Liszt" that in total create a live and vivid picture of Franz Liszt. It is a compelling picture that has positively altered many people's views about this previously misunderstood and undervalued man, not to mention the much needed awareness to Liszt's fascinating and unique works.

DiSilvio's other endeavors

Upon graduating from college DiSilvio founded a successful architectural design and construction firm, Creative Design Contractors, which for 18 years catered to creating and building innovative designs throughout Long Island and Manhattan. Yet he eventually returned to his first passion and founded Digital Vista, a studio that creates art and new media primarily for the Music & Entertainment industry. However, his studio also provides services for book publishers, corporate and educational clients.

DiSilvio's award-winning art has appeared on music CDs, book covers and jackets, magazine ads, art posters, T-shirts, collector plates, mugs and other media worldwide. His artwork and insights have been published in art books, such as "Idea Revolution" by HOW Design Books, calendars and webzines. Likewise, his work has been featured in Decor magazine, Collector Editions, Collector's Mart, Plate World and other highly respected trade publications.

In the music and entertainment industry alone his work has graced the projects of Cher, Roy Orbison, Barry Manilow, Engelbert Humperdinck, Pink Floyd, Yes, Moody Blues, BeeGees, Dion, Alabama, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys, Christina Kiss and countless others.

By later engaging in multimedia and programming, he ultimately earned international acclaim for a variety of unique projects. As a new media pioneer Mr. DiSilvio conceived and created the first interactive CD-ROM on Autism for training Special Ed. teachers and their staff. The curriculum was provided by Eden II Programs, and the interactive program was hailed a success by PhDs, educational facilities and parents of children with autism. The company he founded is the Autism Academy.

Rich DiSilvio's fine art, particularly his thought-provoking surrealism, has captured the attention of galleries, art publishers, and art collectors worldwide. DiSilvio has been nominated as one of the 100 Famous Contemporary Artists by an international jury. Collectors interested in acquiring an affordable DiSilvio print, or a high quality giclee on canvas, can do so at many galleries nationwide, online poster galleries, or DiSilvio's exclusive publishing company DVfineart.com.