Franz Schmidt, born in Pressburg (now Bratislava), grew up in Vienna and remained there until his death in 1939, studying piano and cello.
Interpretation
Performing these works in their original left-hand version restores the intended sound, as Schmidt composed them to balance the piano's reduced range and volume with the orchestra.
Composer Biography
Schmidt worked as a cellist with the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra for 18 years, starting in 1896 under the leadership of Gustav Mahler.
Composition History
This album features works Franz Schmidt composed for Paul Wittgenstein, a one-armed pianist who commissioned around fifteen piano concertos and other left-hand works from various composers.
Performer Biography
Paul Wittgenstein, the dedicatee of these works, lost his right arm in World War I, leading him to commission new repertoire for the left hand.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Schmidt's compositions are described as inspired and original, expanding major-minor harmony to its limits without rejecting 19th-century traditions, unlike his contemporary Schoenberg.
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