Theodor Leschetizky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodor Leschetizky
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| Born | 22 June 1830 Landshut, Austrian Galicia, Austria-Hungary
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| Died | 14 November 1915 (aged 85) |
Theodor Leschetizky (born June 22, 1830 – died November 14, 1915) was a famous pianist, professor, and composer. He was born in Landshut, which was then part of Austria-Hungary. He was known for teaching many of the world's best pianists.
Contents
His Life Story
Theodor Leschetizky was born on June 22, 1830. His father, Joseph Leschetizky, was a talented pianist and music teacher. His mother, Thérèse von Ullmann, was a skilled singer.
Early Music Lessons
Theodor's father gave him his first piano lessons. Later, he went to Vienna to study with Carl Czerny, a very famous piano teacher. When Theodor was just eleven years old, he played a piano concerto by Czerny. Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart, the son of the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, conducted the orchestra.
By the age of fifteen, Theodor started teaching his own students. By eighteen, he was a well-known piano player in Vienna. He also studied composition with Simon Sechter, who taught many successful musicians.
Moving to Russia
In 1852, Theodor moved to St. Petersburg, Russia. His friend Anton Rubinstein invited him to teach music there. Theodor stayed in Russia for 25 years, until 1877.
He became the head of the piano department at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music. He also helped to start this important music school in 1862. While in Russia, he married one of his students, Anna Essipova. She was one of his four wives. They had two children, a daughter named Theresa and a son named Robert.
Teaching in Vienna
In 1878, Theodor returned to Vienna. He opened his own private piano school, which became one of the best in the world. Many promising pianists came from all over to study with him.
Students came from places like the United States. One of his students was Clara Clemens, the daughter of the famous writer Mark Twain.
Theodor had assistants who helped him teach. Ethel Newcomb helped him from 1904 to 1908. She later wrote a book about him called Leschetizky as I Knew Him. Another assistant was Edwin Hughes, who helped him in 1909 and 1910.
Theodor taught until he was 85 years old. He then moved to Dresden, where he passed away on November 14, 1915.
His Famous Motto
Theodor Leschetizky had a motto that guided his life and teaching: "No life without art, no art without life!" This means that art and life are connected and important to each other.
His Family Today
Theodor Leschetizky had a son named Robert. Robert's family later moved to Bad Ischl in Austria. Theodor's family still lives there today.
There is even a street and a villa named after him in Bad Ischl. He often spent holidays there with his friend, the famous composer Johannes Brahms.
Theodor's granddaughter, Ilse Leschetizky (1910–1997), was also a talented pianist and teacher. Her daughter, Margret Tautschnig, continues the family's musical tradition. She helps run the Leschetizky-Verein Österreich (Leschetizky Association Austria) in Bad Ischl.
Leschetizky the Composer
Theodor Leschetizky wrote over one hundred piano pieces. He also composed two operas, Die Brüder von San Marco and Die Erste Falte. He wrote thirteen songs and a piano concerto too.
His piano pieces are often short and expressive. They show off the piano's technical abilities. Most of his music is not widely available today. However, two pieces are still known: the Andante Finale, Op. 13, and Les deux alouettes (The Two Larks), Op. 2, No. 1.
Leschetizky the Teacher
Theodor Leschetizky's most important contribution was his teaching. He taught many of the greatest pianists in history.
Some of his famous students include:
- Ignacy Jan Paderewski
- Alexander Brailowsky
- Ignaz Friedman
- Ossip Gabrilowitsch
- Katharine Goodson
- Mark Hambourg
- Mieczysław Horszowski
- Ethel Leginska
- Benno Moiseiwitsch
- Elly Ney
- Artur Schnabel
- Paul Wittgenstein
- Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler
Recordings of His Music
- In 1906, Leschetizky recorded twelve piano rolls. These included seven of his own compositions.
- There are also modern recordings of his music on CD.
- Piano Concerto, Piano works - Hubert Rutkowski, piano (2008)
- Piano Concerto, op.9; Overture to "Die erste Falte/ Contes de Jeunesses" - Peter Ritzen, piano
- Piano Works (including the famous left-hand piece Andante Finale, op.13) - Peter Ritzen, piano
- Leschetizky Piano Music - Centaur
See also
In Spanish: Theodor Leschetizki para niños
- List of Leschetizky's students
