Henry Litolff

Henry Litolff, the British-born piano virtuoso, composer, and music publisher, was a force to be reckoned with in the 19th-century music scene. Born in London in 1818 to an Alsatian dance violinist father, Litolff's musical journey began early and took him across Europe as a traveling virtuoso pianist. He studied under the esteemed Ignaz Moscheles, mentor to Felix Mendelssohn, and was even compared to the great Franz Liszt during his prime.

Litolff's compositions are a treasure trove of symphonic and salon pieces, with his five Concertos symphoniques being a notable highlight, though only four survive today. His most famous work, the Scherzo from his piano-accompanied symphony, has somewhat overshadowed his extensive output of music for solo piano and orchestral works. Beyond the Scherzo, Litolff's music offers a rich exploration of his virtuosic technique and compositional prowess, making him a fascinating figure in the world of classical music.