Joseffy

Biography

Joseffy is named by Dolge as one of the virtuoso pianists whose playing was captured and reproduced through specially arranged music rolls used in reproducing players such as Hupfeld's "Dea" and the "Welte Mignon." Dolge describes these devices as preserving, for posterity, the individual interpretations, accentuation, and subtle nuances of such renowned performers. No further biographical detail is given. Joseffy (evidently the pianist Rafael Joseffy) is named among the virtuosos—alongside Bülow, de Pachmann, Henry Ketten and others—who gave 'never-to-be-forgotten concerts' on Chickering grand pianos designed by C. Frank Chickering, performed at Chickering Hall in New York. No further biographical detail is given about him in this text beyond his inclusion in this list of celebrated performers. Joseffy is named alongside Rubinstein as one of the greatest piano virtuosos engaged by William Steinway for concerts in New York and other large cities of the United States and Canada, as part of Steinway's campaign to build public appreciation for music and popularity for the piano.

Highlights

• Named by Dolge among renowned virtuosos whose playing was reproduced by the Hupfeld "Dea" and "Welte Mignon" reproducing pianos
• Engaged by William Steinway for concerts, named alongside Rubinstein as among the greatest piano virtuosos of the day
• Named among the virtuosos who gave 'never-to-be-forgotten' concerts on Chickering grand pianos at Chickering Hall

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 175.

Public domain.