Emil George Conrad von Sauer (October 8, 1862 – April 27, 1942) was a notable German composer, pianist, score editor, and music (piano) teacher. He was a pupil of Franz Liszt and one of the most distinguished pianists of his generation. Józef Hofmann called von Sauer "a truly great virtuoso."[1] Martin Krause, another Liszt pupil, called von Sauer "the legitimate heir of Liszt; he has more of his charm and geniality than any other Liszt pupil."[2]
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Life
Sauer was born in Hamburg, Germany on October 8, 1862 and studied with Nikolai Rubinstein at the Moscow Conservatory between 1879 and 1881. On an 1884 visit to Italy he met the Countess von Sayn-Wittgenstein, who recommended him to her former paramour, Franz Liszt. He went on to study with Liszt for two years, but did not for some time consider himself a Liszt pupil. In an 1895 interview, he even denied it: "It is not correct to regard me as a pupil of Liszt, though I stayed with him for a few months. He was then very old, and could not teach me much. My chief teacher has been, undoubtedly, Nicholas Rubinstein."[3] In his later years, however, Sauer realized the influence of Liszt on himself and on music in general.[4]
From 1882 Sauer made frequent and successful tours as a virtuoso pianist; his performing career lasted until 1936. In 1901 he was appointed head of the Meisterschule für Klavierspiel at the Vienna Academy. Sauer left this post in April 1907 but returned to it in 1915.[5] Some of his pupils continued on to successful concert or other significant music careers including Webster Aitken, Stefan Askenase, Robert Goldsand, Ignace Hilsberg, Maryla Jonas, Lubka Kolessa, Elly Ney, Ozan Marsh, Dario Raucea, Elfi von Dassanowsky, Isolde Ahlgrimm, and Marie Aimée Varro.
Sauer was married twice. Angelica Morales (Sauer), his second wife, carried on his legacy in teaching. Sauer had two sons with Morales — Julio and Franz.
Sauer died in Vienna, Austria on April 27, 1942.
Playing
Regardless of his own opinion initially, Sauer was considered as emphasizing the original Liszt approach to pianism as well as a strong Romantic approach to a musical technique that demanded a total command of the keyboard in what was known as the Liszt School of piano. Unlike his fellow pupil Moriz Rosenthal, who could overwhelm the keyboard with orchestral force, von Sauer was said to caress the piano in a suave, polished manner. His recordings show him to have been a smooth pianist who was inclined toward relaxed tempos and exactitude of detail over temperament.[6] While his playing may have sometimes lacked in breadth, it was always elegant and beautifully finished.[5]
Compositions
Along with editing the complete piano works of Johannes Brahms and a number of academic works by Pischna, Plaidy and Kullak, Sauer wrote piano concertos, piano sonatas, concert études, piano pieces and Lieder. His compositions have been considered of minor importance.[5] Nevertheless 6 CDs of his piano music were recorded by Oleg Marshev.
Works (Selection)
- Two Piano Concertos
- Two Piano Sonatas
- Études de Concert
- Suite moderne
Selected discography
Playing
- Emil von Sauer—1940 live recordings. Works by Chopin, Sauer, Schubert, Schumann, Sgambati. Willem Mengelberg conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Arbiter CD 114).
- Emil von Sauer Plays Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 2. Orchestre des Concerts du Conservatoire conducted by Felix Weingartner (Dutton Labs UK B0001DCXLK).
Compositions
- Piano Concerto No. 1 played by Stephen Hough with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Foster. Recorded in 1995. The CD also contains Xaver Scharwenka's Piano Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 82 (Hyperion no. 66790).
- Piano Concerto No. 2 played by Oleg Marshev with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Loughran (Danacord DACOCD 596).
- Piano Sonata No. 2 and Other Piano Works played by Oleg Marshev (Danacord DACOCD 534).
- Études de Concert played by Oleg Marshev (Danacord DACOCD 487).
References
Bibliography
- Anderson, Robert Kinloch, ed. Stanley Sadie, "Sauer, Emil von," The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, First Edition (London: Macmillian, 1980), 20 vols. ISBN 0-333-23111-2.
- Heliotes, Steven, Notes for Hyperion CDA66790, Scharwenka: Piano Concerto No. 4; Sauer: Piano Concerto No. 1; Stephen Hough, pianist; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Foster (London: Hyperion records, 1995).
- Renfro, Anita Boyle, Emil von Sauer; A catalogue of his piano works. Louisville, Ky., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Diss., 1981 Microfiche.
- Schonberg, Harold C., The Great Pianists (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987, 1963). ISBN 0-671-64200-8.
External links
- Review of recordings of his works for solo piano Contains biographical information and information about each piece
- Free scores by Emil von Sauer in the International Music Score Library Project
Recordings
- Piano Rolls (The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation)
- Emil von Sauer - The Complete Commercial Recordings (Marston Records)
- Emil Sauer plays Liszt (Dutton Vocalion)
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