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Moritz Moszkowski

Moritz Moszkowski (August 23, 1854 Breslau - March 4, 1925 Paris) was a Jewish composer, pianist and teacher. He studied in Dresden and later Berlin, under Theodor Kullak and others. He was a teacher in Berlin for many years. His pupils included Frank Damrosch, Józef Hofmann, Joaquin Nin, Vlado Perlemuter, Ernest Schelling and Joaquin Turina. After a successful career as a concert pianist and conductor, he settled in Paris in 1897, where he died in obscurity and poverty. In 1899 the Berlin Academy elected him a member. His brother Alexander Moszkowski (1851-1934) was a famous writer and satirist in Berlin.

Although little known today, Moszkowski was well-respected and popular during the late nineteenth century. He was quite prolific, composing over two hundred pieces. Ignaz Paderewski said, "After Chopin, Moszkowski best understands how to write for the piano."

He wrote many small scale piano pieces which brought him much popularity–notably his set of Spanish Dances Op. 12 for piano duet (later arranged for solo piano, and for orchestra). Today he is probably best known for his fifteen Études de Virtuosité, Op. 72, which have been performed by virtuoso pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz and Marc-André Hamelin. Many of his small but brilliant piano pieces, such as Étincelles (Sparks), are used as encore performances at the end of classical concerts.

He also wrote larger scale works including the Piano Concerto in E major, Op. 59, the Violin Concerto in C major, Op. 30, two orchestral suites (Opp. 39, 47), and the Symphony Jeanne d'Arc, Op.19.

He wrote the opera Boabdil der Maurenkönig, Op. 49, on a historical Spanish theme. It was premiered at the Berlin Court Opera on 21 April 1892, and appeared in Prague and New York the following year. It did not stay in the repertoire, but its ballet music was very popular for a number of years. He wrote a three-act ballet Laurin in 1896.

His Suite in G minor for 2 violins and piano, Op.71 has been recorded by such duos as Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman.

The Spanish Dance No. 5 (Bolero) is played by a salon trio in a scene from the David Lean film Brief Encounter.

Moszkowski´s nationality is not clear. For example Britannica 11th edition states "Polish", the actual one calls him German.

• List of compositions by Moritz Moszkowski

• The Romantic Piano Concerto, Vol. 1 - Moszkowski and Paderewski (Piers Lane)
• Moritz Moszkowski: Piano Music Vol. 1, 2 & 3 (Seta Tanyel)

• Hyperion Recordings: includes audio samples
• Moritz Moszkowski was listed in the International Music Score Library Project
• Free Moszkowski Downloads (MP3 and WMV)

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