[Pianist] Godowsky, Leopold. (1870–1938) Autograph Musical Quotation

[Pianist] Godowsky, Leopold. (1870–1938)

Autograph Musical Quotation

Autograph musical quotation from the Polish American pianist, composer, and teacher who was one of the most highly regarded performers of his time. He has penned one measure in bass clef and 12/8 time, and dedicated it to Mme. S. de Garcia. Signed and dated Paris, February 21, 1930. On an album leaf; left edge rough and with slight spotting, otherwise in fine condition. 15.8 x 10.8 cm. The piece quoted is the opening of the Gigue from Godowsky's Suite for Left Hand published by Schirmer in 1930.

Godowsky's career was cut short just a few months later, when a severe stroke left him partially paralyzed. A self-taught child prodigy from what is now Lithuania, Godowsky toured Europe before becoming a renowned teacher in the United States. He was known for his theories concerning the application of relaxed weight and economy of motion in piano playing, principles later propagated by his pupils, such as Heinrich Neuhaus. Ferruccio Busoni said that he and Godowsky were the only composers to have added anything of significance to keyboard writing since Franz Liszt. (12909)

AMQS Classical Music