Ganz, Rudolph

1877-

Contemporary pianist, pronounced by Felix Weingartner as without an equal among the piano virtuosos of the younger generation. Was born in Zurich, Switzerland; was a pupil of his uncle, Carl Eschmann-Dumur, studying both piano and cello; playing the latter instrument in public at ten, and the piano at twelve. In 1899 he went to Berlin, where he studied piano under Busoni, and composition under Urban. He appeared there in recital and with the Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1900 he came to Chicago to accept the position of head teacher of piano in the Chicago Musical College, where he remained until 1905, becoming prominent in America as a concert pianist, appearing both in recital and with the principal orchestras. Although at home in both classical and modern works, he has become especially distinguished for his initiative and perseverance in introducing the compositions of the later French composers to American audiences, including Debussy, d'Indy and Chausson. In 1905 he severed his connection with the Chicago Musical College to devote himself to concert work, incidental private teaching and composition, going to Europe the next year for a concert tour, and returning to America for the season of 1907-1908, during which he appeared in public nearly a hundred times, including twelve appearances with orchestra. In March, 1908, he sailed for Europe, expecting to settle in Berlin, and divide his time between concert work and composition. For three successive seasons he has played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburg Orchestra, and with the Kneisel Quartet; he has appeared three times with the Thomas Orchestra in Chicago, and with other prominent organizations, and has elicited enthusiastic praise from the foremost critics and conductors of the country. Mr. Ganz's compositions comprise a symphony in E; a concertstück for piano and orchestra in B minor; a piano concerto in E; sonata for piano and violin in C; two song cycles in English, the Lake and the Season cycles; male chorus from Cyrano de Bergerac; variations for piano on a theme by Brahms; piano transcriptions of famous songs by Franz, Kirchner and other composers; shorter piano-pieces; and about eighty separate songs, set to words in English, French and German, respectively, about twenty-five of these having been published so far.