Otakar Hollmann facts for kids
Otakar Hollmann (born January 29, 1894 – died May 9, 1967) was a talented Czech pianist. He was famous for playing the piano with only his left hand! He was one of the best at this special skill, second only to Paul Wittgenstein. Hollmann asked many famous composers to write music just for his left hand. Some of these composers were Janáček, Martinů, Schulhoff, and Foerster. He also wrote some music himself.
About His Life
Otakar Hollmann was born in Vienna on January 29, 1894. When he was young, he first learned to play the violin. He even had some of his own music published in 1915.
During World War I, Otakar was a soldier. He was injured when a bullet went through his right hand. This injury meant he could no longer play the violin. But he did not lose his whole arm, as some people thought.
After the war, because of his injury, Otakar decided to learn the piano. He focused on playing with only his left hand. He studied this special technique in Prague until 1924. He also learned how to compose music from 1925 to 1926. In 1927, he played his first concert as a left-handed pianist. He then performed in many countries across Europe.
Music Written for Him
Otakar Hollmann was very important because he encouraged composers to write new music for the left hand. He would ask them to create pieces especially for him.
Janáček's Capriccio
On June 11, 1926, Hollmann wrote to the famous composer Leoš Janáček. He asked Janáček to write a piece for the left hand. Janáček thought about it and by October 30, he had composed a work. He called it Capriccio for piano left-hand and chamber ensemble.
Hollmann first learned about this new piece from a newspaper! Even though Janáček wrote it after Hollmann asked, he did not officially dedicate it to him. Janáček also did not want to save the first performance just for Hollmann. However, Hollmann eventually got to play it first. He premiered the Capriccio in Prague on March 2, 1928. He played with members of the Czech Philharmonic orchestra.
Other Important Works
Another composer, Erwin Schulhoff, wrote his Suite No. 3 for piano left-hand for Hollmann. This piece has five movements. Hollmann played its first performance in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in November 1927.
Bohuslav Martinů also wrote a piece for Hollmann. It was called Divertimento (Concertino) in G for piano left-hand and small orchestra. He wrote it between 1926 and 1928.
Josef Bohuslav Foerster wrote his Notturno and Fantastico, Op. 142, for Hollmann. This piece was written in the 1930s and published in 1945.
Many other composers also wrote music for Otakar Hollmann. These included Jaroslav Tomášek, Václav Kaprál, Stanko Rajcic, Jaroslav Řídký, Josef Bartovsky, Aleš Jermář, and Vincenc Stastny. Hollmann even recorded Tomášek's Sonata for left hand.
On May 17, 1954, in Prague, Hollmann and Aleš Jermář performed together. They gave the first performance of Jarmil Burghauser's Ciacona for organ and piano.
Later Years
Otakar Hollmann retired from performing in 1955. He passed away on May 9, 1967, at the age of 73.
