Ernst von Dohnanyi

Dohnanyi was born at Pressburg, Hungary, July 27, 1877. He first studied music with his father, a professor of mathematics in the gymnasium, but afterwards became a pupil in pianoforte and composition with Carl Forstner, organist of Pressburg Cathedra. In 1894 he became a pupil of Stephan Thoman for piano and of Hans Koessler for composition. He completed some elaborate chamber music for strings, and in 1897 his symphony in F was rewarded the King's Prize. After a few lessons with d'Albert, Dohnanyi made his debut in Berlin, 1897, and was at once recognized as an artist of high attainments. Similar success in Vienna followed, and thereafter he made the tour of Europe with the greatest success. He made his London debut at a Richter concert in the Queen's Hall, where he gave a memorable performance of Beethoven's G Major concerto. During the following season he visited the United States, and established his reputation here no less than abroad. Dohnanyi is devoting his time more and more to composition, and consequently has not appeared so much in public in recent years. "His compositions", we are told in Grove's dictionary, "show a strong feeling for classical forms, great originality of ideas, and treatment that is always interesting and very often felicitous in the extreme."

The Etude Magazine November 1912