Godowsky: The Pianists' Pianist
By Jeremy Nicholas
Godowsky: Triakontameron: No. 23: Spieldose
Carlo Grante, pianist
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1870 - 1883
Chapter 1: Retrospect
LG in Forward to Bach transcriptions: I am not concerned at not being known; I seek to be worthy to be known. - K'ung fu-tzu
LG to MA, Paris July 10, 1931: I love the piano and those who love the piano. The piano as a medium for expression is a whole world by itself. No other instrument can fill or replace its own say in the world of emotion, sentiments, poetry, imagery and fancy.
LG Mine is not the typical bio telling typical beginnings: If I were assured that those interested in my life story would be anxious to know what kind of moustache my father wore, and which of my mother's kitchen-recipes was most appreciated, I would be forced to excuse myself with the words which I so often used in school when my teachers were "inquisitive": I cannot remember.
LG's memoirs were found in the bottom of a trunk in NYC written in 1938. Only one chapter was completed; his childhood in Poland. LG was persuaded to tell the story, but never happened. LG was doubtful anyone would be interested. In the mid 1930s, LG was a bitter, disillusioned man, and had been dealt cruel and agonizing blows.
LG: most books say was born in Wilno, Poland; actually Sozly, not far from Wilno. a map assumption. Wilno was the capital of Lithuania.
Between Chopin's death and Paderewski's ascendance, Leschetizky, (pupil of IJP), Moiseiwitch, Gabrilowitsch, and Schnabel. Tausig, (Liszt's favorite pupil), Phillippe and Zaver Scharwenka (founded conservatories in Berlin and NY) plus seven others: Paderewski, Hofmann, Landowska, Friedman, Rosenthal, Rubinstein and Godowsky.
LG born February 13, 1870, only child of Anna and Matthew Godowsky
LG's "oasis: faint memory of my father. a highly respected physician in Sozly, extensive learning and of great kindness."
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When LG was 1.5, Father died while treating cholera patients. LG would probably have become a Dr. No piano in house. No music till age of 2. Left destitute, Anna moved to her parents in Schirwinty. Military band came by: first piece LG remembers hearing: Flotow's Martha. walked out of cottage and marched with band for miles. returned home later by policemen, humming the tune repeatedly. A year later, played it on the piano without instruction or hearing it in the meantime. LG feels acquaintance with drums and trumpets is the reason he never wrote for bands.
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LG wanted the band to return. 6 months later, mother's friends, the Passinocks invited she and LG to Wilna. LP had always wanted a wunderkind. LG called him Uncle Louis. LP was passionate about music, a good amateur violinist, pupil of Ferdinand Laub, Ferdinannd David and Wieniawski. Respected in musical circles. Wife was a midwife. LP ran a piano shop, selling second hand instruments to supplement income. LP started LG's musical education as a violinist. LG would run to the Passinock house in the early morning from other side of town, wait for LP to leave and then play as he wanted. When LP returned, LG went back to the violin.
LG: music was as necessary as breathing. It all seemed natural and obvious as though I had always known to play. Playing piano was like feeding myself.
LP taught LG all aspects of violin technique. LG: played violin for many years but piano was my love, life - studied it and found things out for myself.
Also learning meaning of printed score, began experimenting with manuscript paper, writing down tunes he had heard recently.
When caught at the piano, he was told to leave it alone: piano is not for you. Minna showed LG inter-relationship of keys, symmetry of octaves and first scales. LG discovered how to pick out the tunes he heard and the ones he heard in his head.
LG: I wish I could say I was a pupil of a great teacher but I was not. I have not had three months of lessons in my life. I was told I was playing the piano before I was 2. I do not remember whether anybody taught me the value and meaning of notes and the use of the fingers on the keyboard or whether I applied my knowledge in an autodidactic way. but I do remember that I had no help from my fifth year on.
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By the age of 5, LG was proficient enough to accompany LP in home recitals, but within a year,
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mastered Mendelssohn concerto. Instruction eventually stopped because LP could not teach LG any longer. LG also surpassed Minna's ability and lessons became Q and A sessions. LG received lessons from no one after this.
LG came from no school of piano playing, not one of the legion of Liszt/Leschetizky students. No conservatory, no patron. Aptitude for self study has rarely been equaled in musical history, LG's attitude towards piano must be viewed in this light.
LP brought two friends to hear LG: LP asked what are you playing? LG: The piano. LP: No, not that; I mean whose music are you playing? who wrote it? LG: I did. (a minuet composed at age 5). Middle section was a perfect canon and was used in a composition 23 years later. The manuscript, framed by his mother, traveled with him wherever he went. Minuet was proof that LG's talent was with the piano, violin was then put aside.
Minna taught Anna mid-wifery. It was then decided it would be more practical for LG to live with the Passinocks. This fulfilled LP's dream of having a child prodigy on his hands, not to mention a first class accompanist.
LG: I disliked my school teachers. I couldn't understand why an institution kept me away from the piano. Played everything I could get my hands on. There was a beginner's book for the piano, very famous in Russia, by Krupinsky. I mastered it. Every new work was an adventure. Studied with enthusiasm. I isolated the difficult parts and worked with them indefatigably until they were playable, like simple passages.
LG: I had little time to study systematically because of preparation for next day's sessions, my mechanism improved quickly under such pressure. Played chamber music daily from early evening until dawn. Aunt Minna interrupted us often in middle of adagio and sent us to bed. LP took advantage of Minna being away evenings. LP would serve vodka for restoration. I hated those drinks but accepted it to be respectful Also, to reinvigorate for the next Allegro.
Not being able to do child things was actually beneficial, Hitchcock: "all work no play makes Jack." acquired manual dexterity and comprehensive technique when most people are learning scales. Rumore of his talent started and LP took advantage of it.
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LG: LP arranged for first public appearance at age 9 in Wilno, done to not only exploit LG's talent and earn money, it got LP'S name on the program. "The 9 year old LG, a prodigy par excellance". Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Wieniawski's Souvenir de Moscow, Ernst's Elegy, Vieuxtemps's eb Reverie and other violin works. Walking to hall, LG sees his first crowd. LG:"There must be hundreds of people!". A little frightened. LP: "Some day you will play for thousands." A distinct success and others followed.
Word spread. A high prelate of Roman Catholic church, monsignor Selinski: the one man he remembers from his school years. At monsignor's home began reverence to masters. Heard enlightening comments. Gave LG music, books and toys, invited to dinner often.
Exploitation begins. LP became LG's business manager, could display his own talent and get paid for it. LP organized first tour.
First tour was local. Headlines. Music critic/lawyer Knorosovsky accused LP of taking financial advantage of LG. LP ignored him. K wrote a condemnation of LP in two towns before concerts. Tour cancelled. K secured LG's development, LP gave K manuscript of a sonata movement, written at 9 and it disappeared. K sent it to Anton Rubinstein. Sacchetti composition teacher at Petrograd Conservatory saw it. LG offered full scholarship at Imperial Conservatory. LP panicked; scholarship turned down. K incensed. K visited LG's mother, threatened that LG needed more freedom and rest.
LG, dressed in my newest suit, suitcase, sandwiches, K was waiting at train station. K told LG of plans to go to Bialostok. Friend of K was waiting there: Chasanovich, Dr., taxidermist. most kind and hospitable, unworldly dreamer, happy and content. Tons of stuffed animals, life size gorilla hanging over LG's bed. Mr/Mrs C treated LG ass their own. Excellent attention, food and piano. Began preparing to meet AR. Mother, crying, visited and said LP was very upset, LG owed gratitude to LP. LG chose to return with her. LP wrote to Rubinstein: "family regrets." LP was thrilled.
violinist Ovide Musin visited Wilno, offered to take LG on a tour with other musicians. LP agreed but Mother said no. LP planned another tour in cities where K was not known, East Prussia
Feinberg, a banker, home of art and great kitchen. Every artist came there. LG participated happily in disputes. Max Brode, pupil of Joachim tested LG's memory. After dinner, Memorize Bach's PnF in Eb - he did it in four hours. LG totally exhausted. Brode supported Feinberg's support.
Feinberg offered help for LG to study in Berlin. Compensation to LP. LP left with full pocket and empty heart. LP was willing to wait for LG to rejoin him.
Palatial home of Feinberg. LG practiced for Berlin examination to enter the Koenigliche Hochschule fur Musik. Feinberg put LG in a Berlin boarding house. LG sees much more famous names on Berlin posters.
LG felt self-conscious with short pants. Judges were stone faced. Played Beethoven 81a. LG thought they were unimpressed, kept at piano for much longer than others. Also Mendelssohn. Asked to transpose Rondo capriccioso. Asked to improvise, but didn't want to. 26 judges including Moritz Moszkowski, Oskar Raif, Frederich Kiel, Woldemar Bargiel (Schumann's brother in law). Judge Josef Joachim, gave him a calling card, admittance to the artist room for Joachim Quartet concert that night.
LG wanted to get into the school. No one said anything. LG attended concert. LG seated on stage steps. LG hears first professional chamber music. Couldn't play for days. Feinberg took LG to a hotel. Next day, moved LG to a pensione. LG had to wait two weeks.
Got full scholarship. First day: Ernst Rudorff and Heinrich Barth held master classes. Assigned to study with Schultze. LG played Bach French suites, LG dissatisfied with Schultze. LG learned difference between giving lessons and teaching. Worthless, monotonous and LG was actually teaching Schutze. A classmate thought LG was misplaced. Teachers couldn't keep up with him. Mischief-bent when LG went to piano in class. Schultze turned out to be a temporary replacement for Ernst Rudorff who turned out to be LG's only teacher. Ernst Rudorff's compositions received same criticisms as LG would in the future.
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LG found Rudorff dry and pedantic, thought Chopin was a Chaminade level. After LG requested to play Chopin bb Scherzo, ER asked for Beethoven or Schumann. LG: yes, but Schumann praised Chopin. ER: yes, but play Schumann: Age 13: Kresleriana. After 3 months, LG left.
Letters from LP and mother increased. Minna passed, deeply moving LG. LG thought tours should happen. LP and mother came to Berlin and suggested US.
In the dark of night, LG LP and Mother went to Hamburg and took liner to US. LG troubled by not showing gratitude to Feinberg. LG now stated opinion about all future plans.
Here the autobiography ends. Passinock disappears to history. Hofmann: wunder usually dissappears with kind. Ironic that LP twice denied LG of systematic thorough training; if LG had attended conservatories, he might not have grown into the towering pianistic eclectic that he did.