Stojowski, Sigismund (actually, Zygmunt Denis Antoni)
Stojowski, Sigismund (actually, Zygmunt Denis Antoni)
Stojowski, Sigismund (actually, Zygmunt Denis Antoni), noted Polish-born American pianist, pedagogue, and composer; b. Strzelce, May 14, 1869; d. N.Y., Nov. 5, 1946. He was a pupil of Zelenski in Krakow and of Diémer (piano) and Delibes (composition) at the Paris Cons. (1887–89), winning first prize for piano playing and composition; later he took a course with Paderewski. He remained in Paris until 1906, when he emigrated to the U.S. as head of the piano dept. at the Inst. of Musical Art in N.Y. (until 1912); later held a similar position at the Von Ende School of Music in N.Y.; taught at the Juilliard Summer School for several years. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1938. In his prime he was extremely successful as a concert pianist, and in his later years was greatly esteemed as a pedagogue.
Works
ORCH .: 2 piano concertos: No. 1 (Paris, 1891, composer soloist) and No. 1, Prologue, Scherzo and Variations (London, June 23, 1913, composer soloist); Sym. (1899); Violin Concerto (1900); Romanza for Violin and Orch. (1901); Rapsodie symphonique for Piano and Orch. (1904); Cello Concerto (1922). OTHER: Chamber works, including a Piano Quintet, 2 cello sonatas, and 2 violin sonatas; piano pieces; choral works.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire