Janko, Paul von

1856-

Hungarian pianist; born at Totis, where his father managed Count Esterhazy's estate. Paul received his musical instruction at the Polytechnic and the Conservatory in Vienna, from Hans Schmitt, Krenn and Bruckner. From 1881 to 1882 he took mathematics at the Berlin University, studying the piano with Ehrlich. On account of the difficulty he had in reaching an octave, he invented a new keyboard, in 1882, which can be used on any kind of a piano. The invention was intended to do away with some of the difficulties of the ordinary keyboard. The space has been lessened so that the octave is equal to an ordinary sixth. Although it has been used by a number of pianists., is taught at the Conservatory in Leipsic and was introduced into England by Mr. Ames, in 1888, and in New York, in 1890, its permanent adoption has not become certain. Janko was for a time teacher in the Leipsic Conservatory, and has resided in Constantinople since 1892.