Schnabel, Artur (1882–1951)

Austrian pianist, teacher, and composer. He taught music at the Berlin State Academy 1925–30, but settled in the USA in 1939 where, in addition to lecturing, he composed symphonies and piano works.

He excelled at playing Beethoven and trained many pianists.

He studied piano with Annette Nikolaevna Essipova (1850–1914) and Theodor Leschetizky, and music in general with Eusebius Mandyczewski in Vienna. He married the singer Therese Behr (1876–1959) in 1905, travelled extensively, and made a great reputation for himself as a thoughtful interpreter, particularly of Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms. He taught in Berlin, but was forced by the Nazis to leave in 1933. In 1939, he settled in the USA but later returned to Europe. He gave frequent recitals with his wife and in various ensembles with Casals, Hindemith, Pierre Fournier, and Joseph Szigeti.

Works Orchestral symphonies and other orchestral music; piano concerto; atonal cadenzas for Mozart's piano concertos.

Chamber string quartet and other chamber music; piano pieces.