Arthur Loesser
Encyclopedia
Arthur Loesser was an American
classical pianist
and writer.
Born into a musical family, Loesser received early training from his father until he began lessons with Sigismund Stojowski at the Institute of Musical Art, now called the Juilliard School
.
Loesser was the author of the books Humor in American Song, and Men, Women, and Pianos: A Social History. He also wrote program notes for the Cleveland Orchestra
and liner notes for recordings by Vladimir Horowitz
and other musicians.
Loesser served on the faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music
beginning in 1926. From 1953 until his death in 1969, he was head of the piano department. His pupils included Sergio Calligaris
, and Anton Kuerti
.
As a pianist, Loesser gave numerous concerts and recitals, his first during 1913 in Berlin. He often coupled his recitals with lectures which were known for their wit. He was active during the 1920s and 1930s as one half of a piano duo with the famous conductor Wilfrid Pelletier
. The two made a number of recordings together that were made under the direction of Arthur Bodanzky. He also made several solo recordings, some of which have been issued on compact disc.
During World War II, from 1943, Loesser served for the US Army where he worked in the Japanese intlligence department.
It was during this period that he mastered the Japanese language and after the war ended he gave recitals with lectures in Tokyo. Loesser eventually retired from the army with the rank of major.
Loesser died from a heart attack at the wheel of his car, outside the Cleveland Institute of Music
on January 4, 1969, aged 74.
Arthur Loesser was the half-brother of Broadway composer Frank Loesser
. He often referred to himself as "the evil of two Loessers".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical pianist
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and writer.
Born into a musical family, Loesser received early training from his father until he began lessons with Sigismund Stojowski at the Institute of Musical Art, now called the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
.
Loesser was the author of the books Humor in American Song, and Men, Women, and Pianos: A Social History. He also wrote program notes for the Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
and liner notes for recordings by Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
and other musicians.
Loesser served on the faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland Institute of Music
The Cleveland Institute of Music is an independent music conservatory located in the University Circle district of Cleveland, Ohio, United States and is overseen by president Joel Smirnoff and Adrian Daly, dean....
beginning in 1926. From 1953 until his death in 1969, he was head of the piano department. His pupils included Sergio Calligaris
Sergio Calligaris
Sergio Calligaris is a pianist, composer and piano teacher born in Rosario, Argentina on January 22, 1941. After living and tutoring in the United States, where he gained his doctorate in music, Calligaris established his residence in Italy in 1974....
, and Anton Kuerti
Anton Kuerti
Anton Kuerti, OC is an Austrian-born Canadian pianist, music teacher, composer, and conductor. Since his performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Boston Pops Orchestra at age 11, he has developed international recognition as a solo pianist, particularly focusing on the works of Beethoven...
.
As a pianist, Loesser gave numerous concerts and recitals, his first during 1913 in Berlin. He often coupled his recitals with lectures which were known for their wit. He was active during the 1920s and 1930s as one half of a piano duo with the famous conductor Wilfrid Pelletier
Wilfrid Pelletier
Joseph Louis Wilfrid Pelletier , CC was a Canadian conductor, pianist, composer, and arts administrator. He was instrumental in establishing the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's first artistic director and conductor from 1935-1941...
. The two made a number of recordings together that were made under the direction of Arthur Bodanzky. He also made several solo recordings, some of which have been issued on compact disc.
During World War II, from 1943, Loesser served for the US Army where he worked in the Japanese intlligence department.
It was during this period that he mastered the Japanese language and after the war ended he gave recitals with lectures in Tokyo. Loesser eventually retired from the army with the rank of major.
Loesser died from a heart attack at the wheel of his car, outside the Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland Institute of Music
The Cleveland Institute of Music is an independent music conservatory located in the University Circle district of Cleveland, Ohio, United States and is overseen by president Joel Smirnoff and Adrian Daly, dean....
on January 4, 1969, aged 74.
Arthur Loesser was the half-brother of Broadway composer Frank Loesser
Frank Loesser
Frank Henry Loesser was an American songwriter who wrote the lyrics and scores to the Broadway hits Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, among others. He won separate Tony Awards for the music and lyrics in both shows, as well as sharing the Pulitzer Prize for...
. He often referred to himself as "the evil of two Loessers".