Godowsky, Leopold (1870–1938)

Polish-born US pianist and composer. Very precociously gifted, he appeared in public at the age of nine, made a tour of Poland and Germany, and then entered the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, studying with Woldemar Bargiel (1828–1897) and Ernst Rudorff. He first visited the USA in 1884, settled there in 1901, and later became director of the Chicago Conservatory. From 1909 to 1914 he taught in Vienna. He made many arrangements for piano and composed studies and concert pieces.