Moszkowski, Moritz 1854 - 1925
Author: PWM Edition
Last updated：September 20, 2022
Author: PWM Edition
Maurycy Moszkowski
(1854 Wrocław [Poland] – 1925 Paris [France])
Maurycy Moszkowski was a Polish composer, pianist, and educator. He was born in Wrocław (then part of Prussia) in 1854. His parents were Polish Jews from Pilica, a town near Zawiercie, and belonged to a family that diligently practiced religious rituals and cherished traditions, which was unusual for the time. In 1865, the family moved to Dresden, where Maurycy began attending the local conservatory.
In 1869, Moszkowski moved to Berlin and enrolled at the Stern Conservatory, where he studied piano with Eduard Franck and composition with Friedrich Kiel. Subsequently, he studied piano with Theodor Kullak himself at the New Academy of Music, which Kullak had founded. Impressed by his student's outstanding talent, Kullak had Moszkowski teach piano classes as early as 1872. He continued to teach piano there for the next 25 years. Moszkowski made his debut as a pianist in 1873 and embarked on a concert tour of surrounding cities.
Two years later, Moszkowski, along with his fellow student Philipp Scharwenka, organized and performed in a concert featuring piano works with orchestra. Franz Liszt also attended this concert and was captivated by the young performer's talent. Liszt arranged a private concert for a wealthy audience, where Moszkowski's works were performed in a two-piano arrangement. Liszt played the accompaniment, while Moszkowski performed the solo part. Subsequently, Moszkowski gave numerous concerts in many European cities, including Vienna, Paris, and Warsaw. His main repertoire consisted of Classical and Romantic pieces, and he frequently performed works by Fryderyk Chopin, as well as his own compositions.
In March 1889, Moszkowski conducted a concert in Warsaw, the proceeds of which were dedicated to funding the construction of the Warsaw Music Society's headquarters. At that concert, he presented the 'Introduction' and 'Ballet Music' from his own opera Boabdil, der letzte Maurenkönig (Op. 49). His activities as a conductor include a concert featuring his own works held at the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw in February 1890, and a commemorative concert for the World's Fair held in Vienna in 1892. He moved to Paris in 1897 and became a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts in 1899.
With the outbreak of World War I, Moszkowski lost most of his invested bonds and fell into financial hardship. Compounded by health issues, his artistic progress came to an abrupt halt. To support him, a concert featuring a total of 15 of the most distinguished pianists of the time was held at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1921.
Maurycy Moszkowski passed away on March 4, 1925.
Author : Saitoh, Noriko
Last Updated: October 1, 2008
[Open]
Author : Saitoh, Noriko
German composer. Born in Poland, he studied at the Dresden Conservatory, Stern Conservatory, and Klack Conservatory. After graduation, he remained in Berlin and taught piano at a final school. He was also active as a pianist, performing in his native Poland, as well as in England and France. His works largely consist of salon pieces. His most well-known work is the Spanish Dances for two pianos. He spent the latter half of his life in Paris.
Works(88)
Concerto
concerto (1)
Piano concerto / Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Op.59
Key: E-Dur Composed in: 1898 Playing time: 39 min 00 sec
pieces (1)
Aus aller Herren Länder (From Foreign Lands. Les Nations), 6 Charakterstücke Op.23
Playing time: 23 min 00 sec
Piano Solo
pieces (33)
etude (11)
fantasy (2)
waltz (5)
character pieces (5)
transcription (4)
Piano Ensemble
pieces (6)
Aus aller Herren Länder (From Foreign Lands. Les Nations), 6 Charakterstücke Op.23
Playing time: 22 min 30 sec
German Rounds / Deutsche Reigen (Rondes Allemandes), 5 Klavierstück Op.25
Playing time: 14 min 40 sec
other dances (3)
Chamber Music