influence in forming a tradition to be carried on by pupils could not be compared to that
of Leschetizky.
He was the next dominating figure in the world of teaching in succession to the great
Czerny, whose pupil he was, and his ascendency marked new ideas and new standards. It
would be a task not to be lightly undertaken to apportion the influences that have made
modern piano playing among the composers, the manufacturers who improved
instruments, a man like Liszt, who was a great artist and a great creative force, and a man
like Leschetizky, who realized the new influences and spread them through his teaching.
But there can be no doubt that Leschetizky and his pupils were a great element in
improving pianoforte playing all over the world.
As for me, I have the greatest affection and the deepest gratitude toward Leschetizky, but
I know I am not speaking for myself alone, but on behalf of scores of others who could
perhaps better tell of the generosity, the kindness, the devotion, and the disinterestedness
with which he treated all music students. I and they owe him an immense debt, and will
always cherish his memory.’ [The New York Times, 22 November 1915]
LIAPUNOV
Sergei Liapunov (1859-1924) was a pupil of Mily Balakirev (1837-1910) with whom he
shared a love of Liszt’s music. Liapunov had earlier been a pupil of Karl Klindworth
(1830-1916) to whom he dedicated his Sonata in F minor opus 27 (1908). Liapunov’s
sonata is based even more closely on Liszt’s Sonata than is Reubke’s. ‘It is not a work of
the very first rank, but is melodically strong and carries off its debt to Liszt with some
panache. The keyboard writing is skilful and well contrasted; it generally sounds more
difficult than it actually is.’
LIEBLING
Georg Liebling was born in Berlin on 22 January 1865 and died in New York on 7
February 1946. He was one of four Liebling brothers, Georg, Emil, Saul (Solly) and Max,
from a prominent German-American musical family.
Georg (1865-1946) and Emil (1851-1914) were both pupils of Theodore Kullak before
they went to Liszt. Emil was a concert pianist, composer and teacher who moved to the
United States in 1867 and settled in Chicago where he died in 1914. Saul (Solly) is
sitting at the front left of the famous group photograph taken outside Armbrust’s
restaurant. Saul died young, not long after his studies with Liszt were finished. The
fourth brother was Max who became prominent as a teacher in New York.
Georg Liebling was a composition pupil of Henrich Urban and Heinrich Dorn, and when
only sixteen was appointed a professor in the Kullak Conservatory in Berlin. He held
that position until 1885, meanwhile making successful concert tours in Germany and
Austria. From 1885 to 1889 he toured Europe with steadily increasing success. In 1890
he was appointed court pianist to the Duke of Coburg. From 1894 to 1897 he directed a