Walter Gieseking is tagged as: classical, piano, french impressionism, impressionism, debussy Walter Wilhelm Gieseking (November 5, 1895 – October 26, 1956) was a French-German pianist and composer. Walter Gieseking is said to have been a natural and intuitive pianist. According to legend, he never practised except in his own mind. He apparently would study the score, imagine playing it, and then perform it flawlessly. His habit of spending hours in total silence as he pored over scores is said to have frustrated his wife greatly. Born in Lyon in France, Gieseking was largely self-taught as a pianist until he studied at the conservatorium in Hanover. He remained in Germany during World War II, and also performed sometimes in Nazi-occupied France; these things led to accusations of collaboration with the Nazi Party. A number of his concerts, particularly in the United States, had to be cancelled because of protests against him. Eventually he was cleared of any wrongdoing by an Allied court. He died in London during a recording of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 15 for HMV. He had completed the first three movements and, the following day, was due to record the fourth. He died during the night. HMV released the unfinished recording. Gieseking had a very wide repertoire, ranging from the core works by Ludwig van Beethoven through to more modern works by the like... Read More About Walter Gieseking Biography... Send Walter Gieseking ringtones to your cell |
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