Walter Gieseking

Walter Wilhelm Gieseking (November 5, 1895 – October 26, 1956) was a German pianist and composer.

Related Topics:
November 5 - 1895 - October 26 - 1956 - German - Pianist - Composer

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Gieseking is said to have been a natural and intuitive pianist. According to legend, he never practiced except in his own mind. He apparently would study the score, imagine playing it, and then perform it flawlessly. His habit of spending hours in total silence as he pored over scores is said to have frustrated his wife to no end.

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Born in Lyons in France, Gieseking was largely self-taught as a pianist until he studied at the conservatory in Hanover. He remained in Germany during World War II which led to accusations of collaboration with the Nazi Party. A number of his concerts had to be cancelled because of this before he was cleared of any wrong-doing by an Allied court. He died in London.

Related Topics:
Lyons - France - Hanover - World War II - Nazi Party - London

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Gieseking had a very wide repertoire, ranging from the core works by Ludwig van Beethoven through to more modern works by the likes of Ferruccio Busoni and Arnold Schoenberg. He gave the premiere of the Piano Concerto by Hans Pfitzner in 1923. He is primarily remembered today, however, as one of the great interpreters of Mozart, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.

Related Topics:
Ludwig van Beethoven - Ferruccio Busoni - Arnold Schoenberg - Piano Concerto - Hans Pfitzner - Claude Debussy - Maurice Ravel

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Gieseking was also an amateur lepidopterist. His autobiography, So wurde ich Pianist, was published in 1963.

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Together with Karl Leimer, Gieseking authored two seminal works on piano technique: The Shortest Way to Pianistic Perfection (1932) and Rhythmics, Dynamics, Pedal and Other Problems of Piano Playing (1938).

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