Ignaz Moscheles

Moscheles, Ignaz (b Prague, 1794; d Leipzig, 1870). Ger.-Bohemian pianist, composer, and teacher. Made pf. score of Fidelio, 1814, under Beethoven's supervision. After success of his Variations, Op.32, in 1815 he toured Europe for 10 years, visiting London 1821 and 1823. Gave pf. lessons to Mendelssohn 1824. Settled in London 1826. Cond. f. (private) London p. of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, 1832; and 9th Sym. 1837 and 1838 at Philharmonic Soc. Founded series of chamber concerts and played Bach and Scarlatti on hpd. Prof. of pf. at new Leipzig Cons. 1846–70. Comp. 8 pf. concs. (1819–38) and numerous other works. Trans. Schindler's biography of Beethoven into Eng., 1841.

Ignaz Moscheles , 1794-1870, Bohemian-German musician. Born in Prague, Moscheles was a child prodigy. He studied in Vienna with Johann Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri and prepared a piano score of Beethoven's Fidelio under the composer's direction. Moscheles toured Europe as a pianist and in 1832 conducted the British premier of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. One of his pupils was Mendelssohn, at whose invitation he joined the Leipzig Conservatory faculty in 1846. There he became renowned for his teaching and his piano improvisation. In composition and performance he was unsympathetic to the romanticism of Chopin and Liszt. His works (142 opus numbers) include eight piano concertos. Moscheles translated A. F. Schindler's biography of Beethoven into English.