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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 (Results 51-75 of 159 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 51-75 of 159 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Godowsky, Leopold," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102653.

Godowsky, Leopold. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102653.

"Godowsky, Leopold." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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