Moritz Moszkowski, born on August 23, 1854, in Breslau, came from a wealthy family of Polish-Jewish descent.[1][5] He received early musical training in Breslau and Dresden before continuing his studies at the Stern and Kullak Conservatories in Berlin.[1][5] Even during his studies, he began teaching at the Berlin New Academy of Music.[1] Moszkowski lived in Berlin for twenty years, traveled throughout Europe, and made a name for himself as a pianist, composer, and conductor.[1][5] His Spanish Dances, Op. 12, and the Serenata, in particular, contributed to his international fame.[5]
In 1897, Moszkowski settled in Paris, where he was highly regarded as a teacher, especially by American students.[1] Despite attractive offers, he declined to undertake concert tours in America. In later life, he published only a few works, his interest in new developments in music waned, and his popularity declined. Moszkowski spent his final years impoverished in Paris, where he died on March 4, 1925.[5]
His compositional reputation rests primarily on his piano works—including waltzes, mazurkas, and études—which reflect his distinctive style and his sensitivity to the instrument.[1] While some pieces show influences of Schumann, Moszkowski soon developed his own unique style. His works range from understated elegance to dazzling virtuosity.