This week I’ll share with you two undeservedly underrated and under-recorded composers that in my not so humble opinion deserve to be overrated and over-recorded. Both lived in the golden age of the late romantic, early modern period of classical music, that is, the late 19th to early 20th century. I want to share with you the Piano Concerto in E minor by Moritz Moszkowski, German-Jewish composer born in Breslau, Prussia (now Poland).
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
According to that most trusted source, Wikipedia, he was very popular in his day but died in poverty, “sold all his copyrights and invested the whole lot in German, Polish and Russian bonds and securities, which were rendered worthless on the outbreak of the war.” I am not trying to draw parallels between the early 20th century and today, but when he poured his life savings into German government bonds, he probably could not imagine that they would be wiped out – there is a black swan for you!
I’m neither a Musial nor an artist. I’ve enjoyed your father’s and you brother’s artistry and you curated musical selections.
Wish I had had your financial advice before I moved my small savings into gold and silver.
Thank you for introducing me to Moszkowski Piano Concerto in E, op 59 3/3.
Absolutely loved listening to this as my very hectic week came to a close!
Reset for the lovely weekend ahead.
Thank you for this. I’m a Polish-Canadian, who started out as a pianist, but I did not know about this composer. Of course, his surname is Polish, and his birthplace city is Wroclaw, yet it looks like he considers himself German, since that city was occupied by Germans during his time. Still, I hear some Polish sounds in this concerto.
Aside from that, I’m also curious if you yourself translated your own book into Polish! Joseph.
Not to be condescending, but this fantastic Moszkowski concerto is in E MAJOR, not E minor. I’m not sure which recording you linked in the article here, but my favorite is the Markus Pawlik recording from Naxos.
It is my favorite piece of music ever written, along with Medtner’s Op.33 (PC#1 in C Minor – Chandos/Tozer recording) and Godowsky’s E Minor Piano Sonata (Naxos/Scherbakov recording).
I highly recommend checking those two pieces out to anyone who enjoyed this Moszkowski. Also, Moszkowski’s B Minor piano concerto (Op.3) is not to be missed.
How many more Moszkoeski’s are there that we have never heard? Beautiful music, wonderful colors and a fresh harmony for the period.
Oh my heavens! This is sumptuous. Guy was a real thinker. Structurally, the music is complex and textured. Thank you very much for this reference, which I likely would never have found during the course of life. Very much appreciated. Thank you again!
Also my favorite piece of music ever. Have known it since early childhood as my father was a pianist (born in Lithuania in 1901) and knew Moskowski,
Wow! Breathtaking! Thank you so much.
I received a minor in music back in 1989 and I have played classical piano all my life. But I had never heard this Concerto by Moszkowski until recently. Why? I have no idea, because it is a wonderful concerto! I find it so interesting and satisfying to listen to and I have been spreading the word to others.
I have no sophisticated analysis to offer except “wow”. Never heard of this guy and I’ve listened to classical all my 70+ years.
Amazing new talent find. This was enjoyable and repeatable. A joy to find new music.
What pulchritude – sublime soaring melodies, exquisite harmonies and chord progressions, and the section after the 8.00 mark is the epitome of how enjoyable it is to be able to play the piano. How is it that after 72 years, I suddenly discover Moszkowski – never too late, maybe my most favourite concerto of all.
What pulchritude – sublime soaring melodies, exquisite harmonies and chord progressions, and the section after the 6,30 mark is the epitome of how enjoyable it is to be able to play the piano. How is it that after 72 years, I suddenly discover Moszkowski – never too late, maybe my most favourite concerto of all.
This concert is a jewel, love it so much! The second movement is indescribable gorgeous, very moving.
A beautiful composition! Thanks for presenting it to us. I was not familiar with this composer, but intend to investigate his work further.