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."
Ernst
von Dohnanyi