Zichy, Géza, Count Vasony-Keö
Zichy, Géza, Count Vasony-Keö
Zichy, Géza, Count Vasony-Keö, Hungarian left-hand pianist and composer; b. Sztára Castle, July 22, 1849; d. Budapest, Jan. 14, 1924. He studied with Volkmann and Liszt. At the age of 14 he lost his right arm in a hunting accident, and, refusing to give up music, developed his left-hand technique to the point of virtuosity; also made arrangements for left hand. On several occasions he played in public with Liszt an arrangement of the Rákóczy March for 3 hands. From 1875 to 1918 he was president of the National Cons, in Budapest; was also Intendant of the National Theater and Opera there (1890-94). He composed operas, produced at Budapest: A vár Wrténete (Castle Story; May 16, 1888), Alar (April 11, 1896), and Roland mester (Jan. 10, 1899). Other works include a dramatic trilogy on the life of Rákóczi, Nemo (March 30, 1905), Rákóczi Ferenz (Jan. 30, 1909), and Rodostó (March 20, 1912), Gemma, ballet (Prague, 1903), Dolores, cantata (1889), Piano Concerto (1902), Piano Sonata, studies and piano pieces for the left hand alone, songs, etc. He publ. an autobiography, Aus meinem Leben (Ger. ed., 3 vols., 1911-20).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire