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Phone: 212-860-5541 * Fax: 917-677-8247
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Price: $150.00 |
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NEAR MINT CONDITION |
JAN HERMAN – PIANIST |
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Autographed and inscribed original textured postcard photograph of the great Czech pianist, July 18, 1943. Herman (1886-1946) was a pioneer virtuoso pianist in Prague for a number of reasons. His Father a violinist taught him to play piano and organ. In 1898 at 15 he made a public debut as an organist. The following year he enrolled in Otakar Sevcik’s violin class at the Prague Conservatory. He was expelled from the Conservatory for unspecified reasons and the following year he was back in regular school. From 1903-1909 he studied piano with Adolf Mikes in Pilsen. While a student he began giving solo recitals in the provincial cities around Pilsen. He made his Prague recital debut in 1907 and it was so successful he was invited on the spot to make his Czech Philharmonic debut, he chose the Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto. The two performances launched his career. The following year he spent as a repiteur at the National Theatre and in 1909 he taught at the Tsarist Music Society in Orel, Russia. He remained there until 1912, returning to Adolf Mikes at his piano institute in Pilsen. In 1913 he played again with the Czech Philharmonic and then in March concertized in Paris. He was such a success, he was invited back the following year. The same year he was appointed Professor of Piano at the Prague Conservatory where he remained for the rest of his life. That said, he did not give up the concert platform and was in demand throughout Europe and the United States; Paris & London 1919-1920 and again in 1924, Vienna 1924 and 1926-1927, Copenhagen 1925 and 1932, The United States 1925, Zagreb 1927, Warsaw 1928 and 1937, Berlin 1928, Hamburg 1929, The Hague, 1930. He also toured with the Czech Quartet and Trio on their concert tours. Whilst he was steeped in the Russian, German and French romantics, he was also considered to be the finest interpreter of Bedrich Smetana’s piano works of his day. He also gave first performances of piano works by Axman, Janacek, Karel, Martinu and Novak. Further he was considered a fine interpreter of Alois Halba’s quarter piano works. A rare and important pianist autograph. |
