Album insights
Viola Scheffel discusses the cosmopolitan virtuoso Ignaz Moscheles, whose musical career influenced the evolution of the piano from Beethoven to Liszt. Hailing from the German-speaking Jewish community in Prague, Moscheles emerged as a prodigy at fourteen, beginning a freelance career in Vienna that swiftly gained European acclaim. In 1821, he relocated to London for over two decades before being appointed the principal piano teacher at the newly established Leipzig Conservatory by his close friend Mendelssohn in 1846. Transitioning to Moscheles' childhood, the piano symbolized societal status akin to 20th-century recordings, with advancements enhancing the instrument's range, mechanics, and expressive capabilities. As the piano concerto gained prominence, each iteration aimed to surpass its predecessors in brilliance and difficulty. Despite the expanding virtuoso landscape, Moscheles stood out for blending classicism with originality, retaining elements from Mozart and Clementi's works in his compositions.