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Leopold Godowsky

Leopold Mordkhelovich Godowsky Sr. (13 February 1870 – 21 November 1938) was a Lithuanian-born American virtuoso pianist, composer and teacher. He was one of the most highly regarded performers of his time, known for his theories concerning the application of relaxed weight and economy of motion within pianistic technique – principles later propagated by his pupils, such as Heinrich Neuhaus.

He was heralded among musical giants as the "Buddha of the Piano". Ferruccio Busoni claimed that he and Godowsky were "the only composers to have added anything of significance to keyboard writing since Franz Liszt."

As a composer, Godowsky is best known for his Java Suite, Triakontameron, Passacaglia and Walzermasken, alongside his transcriptions of works by other composers: best known work in the field is 53 Studies on Chopin's Études (1894–1914).

Birth and Death Data: Born February 13, 1870 (Žasliai), Died November 21, 1938 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1912 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, arranger, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-11941 12-in. 4/26/1912 Etude, op. 10, no. 12 Vladimir de Pachmann Piano solo arranger  
Victor B-16987 10-in. 1/8/1916 Wienerisch Fritz Kreisler Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor C-16987 12-in. 1/8/1916 Wienerisch Fritz Kreisler Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-24477 10-in. 9/17/1920 Waltz in D major Jascha Heifetz Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-31640 10-in. 1/9/1925 Tambourin Shura Cherkassky Piano solo arranger  
Victor BVE-31640 10-in. 6/11/1925 Tambourin Shura Cherkassky Piano solo arranger  
Victor BVE-32526 10-in. 4/20/1925 Tambourin Guiomar Novaës Piano solo arranger  
Victor BVE-32527 10-in. 4/20/1925 Tango Guiomar Novaës Piano solo arranger  
Victor BVE-49147 10-in. 11/30/1928 Nocturnal Tangier Fritz Kreisler Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor BVE-49811 10-in. 1/30/1929 Alt Wien Isabelle Yalkovsky Piano solo composer  
Victor BVE-59493 10-in. 5/1/1930 Pastorale Victor Orchestra Orchestra arranger  
Victor BS-81353 10-in. 2/3/1934 Alt wien Jascha Heifetz ; Arpad Sandor Violin solo, with piano composer  
Victor BS-066112 10-in. 6/16/1941 Rendezvous Reginald Stewart Piano solo composer  
Columbia 36693 12-in. 4/10/1913 Two songs without words Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36694 12-in. 4/10/1913 Campanella Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36695 12-in. 4/10/1913 Prelude in D-flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36696 12-in. 4/10/1913 Hark! Hark! The lark Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36697 12-in. ca. 1913-1917 Polonaise in A-flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36698 12-in. ca. 1913 Prelude in B-flat major Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36699 12-in. ca. 1913 Waltz in C-sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36700 12-in. 4/10/1913 Berceuse Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36701 12-in. ca. 1913 Nocturne in E-flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36890 12-in. ca. 1914 Gnomenreigen Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 36891 12-in. 3/4/1914 Waltz in G flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48547 12-in. 1/21/1916 Etude in F minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48548 12-in. 1/21/1916 Moment musical Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48549 12-in. 1/14/1916 Cradle song Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48550 12-in. 1/25/1916 Scotch dances Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48589 12-in. 2/17/1916 Waltz in A flat, op. 42 Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48590 12-in. 2/7/1916 Serenade in D minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48591 12-in. 2/7/1916 Concert etude in D flat no. 2 Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48592 12-in. 2/17/1916 Gondoliera in G flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48808 12-in. ca. Jan.-May 1916 Serenata Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48809 12-in. 5/26/1917 Romance in F sharp Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48810 12-in. 6/5/1917 Melody in F Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48811 12-in. 6/5/1917 Rustle of spring Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 48812 12-in. 6/5/1916 Rigoletto : Paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W144914 10-in. 10/26/1927 Tango José Echániz Piano solo arranger  
Columbia W147983 10-in. 2/21/1929 Wiegenlied José Echániz Piano solo arranger  
Columbia W148462 10-in. 4/18/1929 Rondino Gunnar Johansen Piano solo arranger  
Columbia W150804 10-in. 9/15/1930 Wiegenlied José Echániz Piano solo arranger  
Columbia W98650 12-in. 4/18/1929 Kunstlerleben, part 1 Gunnar Johansen Piano solo arranger  
Columbia W98651 12-in. 4/18/1929 Kunstlerleben, part 2 Gunnar Johansen Piano solo arranger  
Columbia CO19348 10-in. 5/28/1936 Vieja Viena Celso B. Hurtado Marimba solo, with piano composer  
Brunswick 4706 10-in. approximately Dec. 1920 Witches' dance Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X4708 12-in. approximately Dec. 1920 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X5670 12-in. approximately May 1921 Fantasie—Impromptu Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 5738 10-in. approximately June 1921 Melody in F Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X5748 12-in. approximately June 1921 Impromptu in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X5755 12-in. approximately June 1921 Kamennoi-ostrow Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X5769 12-in. approximately June 1921 Liebestraum Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 7282 10-in. approximately Jan. 1922 Spring song Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8051 12-in. approximately May 1922 On wings of song Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8053 12-in. approximately May 1922 Polonaise militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8054 approximately May 1922 Rondo capriccioso Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8057 10-in. approximately May 1922 Prelude in C sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8081 12-in. approximately May 1922 Waltz in E flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8085 12-in. approximately May 1922 Polonaise militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8855 10-in. approximately Oct. 1922 A la bien aimée Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8866 10-in. approximately Oct. 1922 Maiden's wish Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13150 12-in. 5/21/1924 Etude no. 1 Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 4047-4048 10-in. approximately Aug. 1920 Rustle of spring Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 4726-4727 10-in. approximately Dec. 1920 Waltz in C sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 5721-5722 10-in. approximately June 1921 Flatterer Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8068-X8070 12-in. approximately May 1922 Tarantelle Venezia e Napoli Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8077-8078 10-in. approximately May 1922 Black keys study Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8785-X8786 12-in. approximately Sept. 1922 Ballade in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8787-X8788 12-in. approximately Sept. 1922 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8789-8791 10-in. approximately Sept. 1922 Capriccio (F minor) Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X8857-X8859 12-in. approximately Oct. 1922 Nocturne in D flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 8864-8865 10-in. approximately Oct. 1922 My joys Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12244-X12246 12-in. 1/9/1924 Concert study #2 in F minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12247-12248 10-in. 1/9/1924 Berceuse Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12296-X12298 12-in. 1/16/1924 Rigoletto paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12299-X12302 12-in. 1/16/1924 Waltz in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12309-X12312 12-in. 1/17/1924 Scherzo in B flat minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12313-X12316 12-in. 1/17/1924 Berceuse Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12322-X12325 12-in. 1/18/1924 Dance of the gnomes Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12326-X12327 12-in. 1/18/1924 Berceuse Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12328-X12330 12-in. 1/18/1924 Waltz in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12335-X12336 12-in. 2/19/1924 Waltz in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12337-X12339 12-in. 2/19/1924 Polonaise Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12393-12395 10-in. 1/26/1924 The music box Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12396-12398 10-in. 1/26/1924 Orientale Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12455-X12456 12-in. 2/5/1924 Fantasia impromptu Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12457-12458 10-in. 2/5/1924 Waltz in C sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12460-12461 10-in. 2/5/1924 Melody in F Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12462-12463 10-in. 2/5/1924 Playera Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12464-12465 10-in. 2/6/1924 La lisonjera Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12466-12468 10-in. 2/6/1924 Spring song Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12469-X12471 12-in. 2/6/1924 Etude Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12485-X12486 12-in. 2/8/1924 Concert study #2 in F minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12487-X12489 12-in. 2/8/1924 Waltz in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12490-X12491 12-in. 2/8/1924 Waltz in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12492-X12493 12-in. 2/8/1924 Polonaise militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12725-X12727 12-in. 3/25/1924 Liebestraum Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12732-X12734 12-in. 3/25/1924 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X12736-X12739 12-in. 3/25/1924 Kamennoi ostrow Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 13080-13082 10-in. 5/12/1924 Melody in F Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 13083-13085 10-in. 5/12/1924 Frühlingsrauchen Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13086-X13088 12-in. 5/12/1924 Fantasie impromptu Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13089-X13091 12-in. 5/13/1924 Leggerezza Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13092-X13093 12-in. 5/13/1924 Kammenoi ostrow Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13094-X13096 12-in. 5/13/1924 Scherzo in B flat minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13108-X13110 12-in. 5/14/1924 Impromptu in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 13147-13149 10-in. 5/21/1924 Etude no. 1 Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13151-X13154 12-in. 5/21/1924 Rigoletto paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12453-12454; 12459 10-in. 2/5/1924 Frühlingsrauchen Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 12728-12731; 12735 10-in. 3/25/1924 Witches’ dance Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick X13103-X13104; X13112 12-in. 5/14/1924 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 13105-13107; 13111 10-in. 5/14/1924 Witches' dance Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16168 12-in. 8/18/1925 Liebestraum Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16098-E16100 10-in. 8/12/1925 The golliwog's cake walk Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16101-E16102 10-in. 8/12/1925 Minstrels Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16103-XE16104 12-in. 8/12/1925 Clair de lune Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16105-XE16107 12-in. 8/12/1925 Reflets dans l'eau Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16155-E16157 10-in. 8/17/1925 The crap shooters Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16158-E16160 10-in. 8/17/1925 In a boat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16161-E16162 10-in. 8/17/1925 Liebestraum Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16163-XE16164 12-in. 8/18/1925 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16165-XE16167 12-in. 8/18/1925 Fantasie impromptu Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16169-XE16170 12-in. 8/18/1925 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16231-E16234 10-in. 8/18/1925 The crap shooters Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16267-E16269 10-in. 8/28/1925 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16375-XE16377 12-in. 9/11/1925 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16378-XE16380 12-in. 9/11/1925 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16478-XE16481 12-in. 10/2/1925 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16482-XE16485 12-in. 10/2/1925 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16499-XE16503 12-in. 10/3/1925 Rigoletto paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16504-XE16506 12-in. 10/3/1925 Leggerezza Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16507-E16509 10-in. 10/5/1925 Spring song Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16510-E16512 10-in. 10/5/1925 The flatterer Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16513-E16515 10-in. 10/5/1925 Prelude in C sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16543-XE16546 12-in. 10/7/1925 Polonaise in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16547-XE16549 12-in. 10/7/1925 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16710-XE16713 12-in. 10/17/1925 Rigoletto paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE16714-XE16718 12-in. 10/17/1925 Waltz in E flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20026-E20027 10-in. 9/3/1926 Rustle of spring Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20028-XE20029 12-in. 9/3/1926 Scarf dance Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20030-E20031 10-in. 9/3/1926 Witches dance Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20032-E20033 10-in. 9/3/1926 Melody in F Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20034-E20035 10-in. 9/3/1926 Waltz in C sharp minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20036-XE20037 12-in. 9/3/1926 Impromptu in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20038-E20039 10-in. 9/3/1926 Two Chopin studies Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20040-XE20041 12-in. 9/3/1926 Alt-Wien (Old Vienna) Leopold Godowsky Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20042-XE20043 12-in. 9/4/1926 Kammenoi ostrow Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20044-XE20046 12-in. 9/4/1926 Rondo capriccioso Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20047-XE20048 12-in. 9/4/1926 Rigoletto paraphrase Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20057-XE20058 12-in. 9/7/1926 Scherzo no. 2 in B flat minor Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20059-XE20060 12-in. 9/7/1926 Barcarolle Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20061-XE20062 12-in. 9/7/1926 Ballade in A flat Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E20077-E20080 10-in. 9/10/1926 Butterfly keys study Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20081-XE20082 12-in. 9/10/1926 Triana Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20092-XE20093 12-in. 9/11/1926 Morning greeting Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20094-XE20095 12-in. 9/11/1926 Good night Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20096-XE20098 12-in. 9/11/1926 Old Vienna Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick XE20099-XE20101 12-in. 9/11/1926 Polonaise in A flat, op. 53 Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E16264-E16266; E16270 10-in. 8/28/1925 Marche militaire Leopold Godowsky Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Gramophone Bb13829 10-in. 6/18/1928 Tango Wilhelm Backhaus Piano solo arranger  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Godowsky, Leopold," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102653.

Godowsky, Leopold. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102653.

"Godowsky, Leopold." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102653

External Sources

Wikipedia: Leopold Godowsky

Discogs: Leopold Godowsky

Grove: Leopold Godowsky

IMSLP: Leopold Godowsky

IMDb: Leopold Godowsky

Britannica: Leopold Godowsky

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Godowsky, Leopold, 1870-1938 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n80004357

Wikidata: Leopold Godowsky - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q434328

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/46946481

MusicBrainz: Leopold Godowsky - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/f5b8d14c-3adb-4cd3-aa97-140a557c7302

ISNI: 0000 0001 1761 5667 - http://www.isni.org/isni/0000000117615667

FAST: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/48631

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