Ignaz Moscheles, Famous Bohemian Pianist

Eminent Piano Pedagogue and Composer from Prague

Jan 20, 2009

Several of the students of Ignaz Moscheles, who was one of the most important piano teachers in Europe, owed their successful careers to his excellent training.

The twentieth century brought to us some of the most celebrated pianists in history, due, in large measure to the many fine teachers who were available at the time. These include Franz Liszt, Karl Reinecke, Theodore Kullak, Karl Tausig,Theodore Leschetizky and Sigismund Thalberg, to name but a few.

Studies in Vienna

Ignaz Moscheles was born in Prague, Bohemia, on May 30,1794, and began his piano training there under Dionysius Weber, appearing in public recital for the first time at the age of fourteen. Later he traveled to Vienna to continue his studies under Antonio Salieri and Johann Albrechtsberger. Ludwig van Beethoven took the young Moscheles under his patronage and allowed him to make a piano transcription of Fidelio. A devotee of Beethoven's music, Moscheles disobeyed his first teacher, Weber, who had admonished him not to touch Beethoven's compositions.

Friendship with Felix Mendelssohn

Going to Paris in 1820, Moscheles made a great success there. He married Charlotte Emden at Hamburg in 1826 and removed to London a year later where he became a much sought-after piano teacher.

A few years later he became a friend of Ludwig Spohr and in 1824 he spent several weeks in Berlin where he made the acquaintance of Felix Mendelssohn and gave him piano lessons. In 1829 Mendelssohn accepted Moscheles' invitation to visit London where he was well received by members of the musical community.

They became very close friends and Mendelssohn was made godfather to one of the children of Moscheles in 1833. Their friendship was a long and happy one, ending only with the death of Mendelssohn in 1847.

Composition of Ignaz Moscheles

Moscheles finally went to Leipzig in 1846 where he was asked by Mendelssohn to become teacher at the Conservatoire and where he stayed until his death on March 10, 1870. His 142 compositions include Duets; Sextets; Sonatas; Variations; Rondos; 8 Piano Concertos and Studies for the Piano, Op.70,95 and 99.

The Piano Concertos in c minor and g minor were very popular in the 1800's...Other works are Variations on Au Claire de la Lune, Sonate Melancholique, and a sonata for piano and cello. A symphony, the overture Joan of Arc and many pieces for piano and orchestra complete his body of work.

The Piano Concerti and Fantasies for piano and orchestra have been recorded on CD by the Hyperion label and feature pianist Howard Shelley as soloist.They have also released all the Piano Studies with Piers Lane and the first six studies with pianist Ian Hobson.

Ignaz Moscheles was a brilliant pianist, an eminent pedagogue and a fine composer who deserves to be remembered for his major contributions to the world of music.

Sources

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