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Jan Smeterlin plays Brahms Paganini Variations Op. 35 (1/2)

1,633 views · Published 20 September 2010 · 10:18 · Indexed 24 October 2026

Channel: gullivior · 2010 · Music

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...virtuoso masterpiece by an anti-virtuoso pianist ...

Jan Smeterlin, (7 February 1892 in Bielsko, Austro-Hungarian Empire -- 18 January 1967 in London) noted for his interpretations of Chopin's piano music, was born in Poland in 1892. He gave his first public concert at the age of seven playing a Mozart concerto. Despite Smeterlin's wishes to become a concert pianist, he was forced to study law. In the midst of his schooling in Vienna, Smeterlin won a scholarship to study with Leopold Godowsky, one of his most significant teachers. Smeterlin debuted as a performer in 1920, with concerts in Warsaw, Paris, Vienna and Berlin. His concert tours took him to the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Latin America, Java, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the United States, and all over Europe, not to mention the annual concerts he gave in London, where he had settled. 

In 1910, Smeterlin began a unique relationship with composer Karol Szymanowski. He not only had the privilege of working with Szymanowski as a colleague, but also shared a friendship which was evident in Szymanowski's dedication of a volume of mazurkas to Smeterlin. Szymanowski's works were frequently included in his concerts and were often the highlight of his performances. 

When not concertizing, Smeterlin enjoyed cooking. He authored a recipe book which was eventually published after his death. Smeterlin had also begun writing a book on the interpretation of Chopin which was he was unable to complete. He had a fondness for animals, especially his dog, Tuki-Tuki. During the last years of his life, Smeterlin and his wife, Didi, lived in New York. They returned to London for two months when he became ill; he died in 1967 at the age of seventy-five. 

(source: IPAM)

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