Album insights
Sergej Eduardowitsh Bortkiewicz, alternatively known as Serge Eduardowitsch von Bortkiewitz, was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on February 28, 1877. His mother, a talented pianist, co-founded the music school in Kharkiv where Bortkiewicz received his early education in music. He studied piano with Albert Bensch, influenced by Anton Rubinstein and Tchaikovsky, who visited the school and participated in concerts there.
In 1896, Bortkiewicz enrolled at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, focusing on piano with Karl van Ark and theory with Anatolij Ljadov. He also briefly studied law out of obligation to his father but soon shifted his focus back to music. Completing his studies in Leipzig in July 1902, he got engaged to Elisabeth Geraklitowa, whom he later married in July 1904, marking a new chapter in his life.
Living in Berlin from 1904 until the outbreak of World War I, Bortkiewicz taught at the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory, performed concerts, and began composing seriously. However, with the war, his situation changed dramatically as he was deported back to Russia via Sweden and Finland. Subsequently, the Russian Civil War forced him to relocate to Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.
In Sevastopol, Bortkiewicz faced significant challenges until a chance encounter with Ilen Ilegey, the Sultan's court pianist, led to opportunities teaching piano to notable individuals. Yet, lacking cultural stimulation, he managed to reestablish connections with a Vienna publisher, eventually deciding to move to Vienna in 1922, marking his final relocation.
In Vienna, he became an Austrian citizen in 1926 and taught piano at the Vienna Conservatory. While his memoirs detail his life until his arrival in Vienna, little is known about his later years apart from his enduring respect in Austria. Bortkiewicz passed away on October 25, 1952, leaving behind a substantial body of works, some lost during World War II.
Bortkiewicz's compositions, primarily for piano, showcase his talent and include significant works like sonatas, collections of piano pieces, concertos, an opera, symphonies, chamber music, and more. Notably, his compositions Op. 17, "Lamentations and Consolations," and Op. 33, "Ten Preludes," reflect his melodic Romantic style, drawing inspiration from revered composers like Chopin.
Through these works and others like Op. 30, "From Andersen's Fairy Tales," Op. 42, "Ballade in C-sharp minor," and Op. 65, Bortkiewicz's musical legacy endures, even as some pieces remain lost to time. His compositions continue to be rediscovered and appreciated by contemporary audiences.