Donska, Maria (1912–1996)

Polish-born British pianist and piano teacher, a major figure in the musical life of London for half a century, who first became popular with the public during World War II as a performer at the National Gallery lunchtime concerts. Born in Lodz, Poland, on September 3, 1912; died on December 20, 1996; never married; lived with Leonora Speyer (daughter of the violinist Leonora Speyer).

When she died in 1996, Maria Donska was one of the last survivors of the group of artists who had helped maintain the morale of London's population during the darkest days of World War II by performing at the National Gallery lunchtime concerts. Initiated by the famed pianist Myra Hess , these concerts provided civilians and soldiers alike with a precious interlude of peace and reflection in a bomb-shattered metropolis. Born into a cultured Jewish family in the industrial city of Lodz, Poland, in 1912, Maria Donska was a prodigy who began to play the piano at the age of four. By seven, she was giving professional concerts of the music of Schubert and Schumann. At age 11, Donska gave her first performance with an orchestra, and the next year she was a fulltime conservatory student. Soon she was in Berlin studying with the renowned Austrian virtuoso Artur Schnabel. Schnabel thought so highly of his Polish pupil that he took her with him to London when he gave a noted series of Mozart and Schubert recitals that year in the British capital.

The Nazi seizure of power in 1933 compelled Donska and Schnabel to flee Germany. She returned briefly to Poland to work for Radio Warsaw, but the depth of anti-Semitic sentiments in her homeland prompted her move to London to continue her career in a freer environment. Settling in St. John's Wood with her lifelong friend and companion Leonora Speyer (d. 1987), the daughter of the violinist and poet Leonora Speyer (1872–1956), Donska began working for the BBC by making a series of recordings for broadcasting. In 1936, Donska enrolled at the Royal College of Music. When asked why someone as musically gifted as she had enrolled at the RCM, she candidly replied, "To learn English so that I can play in this country."

Donska remained at the Royal Conservatory of Music until 1940, winning several gold medals for musical excellence. Early in World War II, Donska suffered a nervous breakdown over concern for the fate of her family in Poland—a fear that was justified, since none of them, including her beloved brother, survived the Holocaust. By 1943, she had recovered sufficiently to perform publicly at the National Gallery lunchtime concerts. She also recorded once more for the BBC and began teaching piano to advanced pupils at the Royal Conservatory of Music. After the war, Maria Donska was much in demand both as a teacher and as a recitalist at various festivals. In 1955, she gave a much-applauded series of recitals dedicated to the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at London's Royal Festival Hall. During this time, she met the famed sculptor Jacob Epstein, who asked her to sit for him.

Maria Donska continued playing into the 1970s, giving recitals and recording for the BBC. She finally retired from teaching at the Royal Conservatory in 1980 but gave occasional recitals as part of her schedule until 1989 when illness finally ended her long, successful musical career. In 1987, Donska's lifelong companion and friend Leonora Speyer died. Maria Donska died on December 20, 1996.

sources:

"Maria Donska," in The Times [London]. December 23, 1996, p. 17.

John Haag , Associate Professor of History, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia