Vladimir de Pachmann

Vladimir von Pachmann, sometimes seen as "von Pachmann" or "Pachman" (27 July 1848 – 6 January 1933) was a virtuoso pianist especially noted for performing the works of Chopin, and also for his unusual on-stage style.

He was born in Odessa, and went to study music in Vienna. He made his concert debut in Odessa in 1869, but until 1882 he only appeared in public infrequently, spending his time in further study. He then toured throughout Europe and the United States, and was acclaimed as a top player of his era.

Pachmann was one of the earliest to make recordings of his work, beginning in 1907.

He was also famous for gestures, muttering, and addressing the audience during his performance; the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica judiciously characterized it as the "playfulness of his platform manner", while critic James Huneker called him the "Chopinzee", and George Bernard Shaw reported that he "gave his well-known pantomimic performance, with accompaniments by Chopin."

Reference

• Mark Mitchell, Vladimir de Pachmann: A Piano Virtuoso's Life and Art (Indiana University Press, 2002) ISBN 0253341698

External link

• Extensive collection of links to online material relating to Pachmann