Emil von Sauer studied with Nikolai Rubinstein at the Moscow Conservatory. His playing had impressed the virtuoso pianist and composer Anton Rubinstein (Nicolai's brother) who suggested that he go to Moscow to study. Von Sauer subsequently became a student of Liszt. He is the most recorded of Liszt's pupils and as such gives us meaningful insight into the great master's performance style. His recordings of
Franz Liszt's Concerto No. 1 in E flat Major
and
Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54
are of particular interest.
His prodigious technique was ever placed at the disposal of his stately and poetic inclinations, his beautiful tone and attention to detail. This is apparent in his recordings of the music of
Frédéric Chopin
. He was opposed to the "loud and fast" manner of playing during his lifetime and is reported to have said that Liszt would not recognize his own music as played in the style of the day.
Von Sauer went on to head the piano department at the Vienna Conservatory. The list of his students includes some of the great pianists of the first half of the 20th Century, including Webster Aitken, Stefan Askenase, and Elly Ney.
Although it is as a pianist that he has a claim to immortality, Von Sauer was also a
composer
of some note. Among his works are two concerti for piano and orchestra, two piano sonatas, two suites for piano, numerous concert etudes and other piano pieces, and songs.
He was a highly respected artist in his lifetime. The "von" in his name is the result of his having been made a hereditary kight of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And he was the first German ever to have been appointed to the French Legion of Honor.
Von Sauer lived well into the 20th Century and as a result left many recordings. Below he plays works by Beethoven, Liszt, Schubert, Schumann, and Johann Strauss.
Beethoven Piano Sonata Op.13 ("Pathétique") ii. Adagio cantabile Recorded c.1923
Beethoven Sonata No. 14 in C# minor "Quasi una fantasia" Op.27 N°2 "Moonlight" i. Adagio sostenuto Recorded c.1923
Beethoven Turkish March Recorded c.1928
Liszt Etude: "La Campanella" Recorded c.1930
Liszt Etude: "Ricordanza" Recorded c.1941
Liszt Consolation N°3 in Db Major Recorded in 1938
Liszt Etude de Concert "Gnomenreigen" Recorded in 1928
Liszt Liebestraum N°3 Recorded c.1925
Liszt "Mazeppa" Transcendental Etude n°4 Piano roll made in 1925
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 Recorded in 1923
Liszt Valse Oubliee No 1 Recorded in 1938
Mendelssohn/Liszt On Wings of Song Recprded in 1923
Mendelssohn Scherzo from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Recorded c. 1930
Mendelssohn Scherzo in e Minor Op 16 No 2 Recorded in 1923
Schubert Moment Musical in A flat Op 94 No 2 Recorded in 1941
Schubert Moment Musicale in F minor Op.94 N°3 Recorded c.1941
Schumann Carneval Op.9 Recorded c.1923
Part I
Part II
Schumann "Traumeswirren" Op.12 n°7 Recorded in 1940
