Ernst von Dohnányi: Piano Works

Ernst von Dohnányi displayed an interest in a range of inventions throughout his life, so it's unsurprising that around 1909–10 he became one of the main promoters of pianos that used a semicircular keyboard. There had long been experimentation in creating the most comfortable keyboard possible, with all the keys at the same distance from the pianist, facilitating the same body and hand positions throughout the keyboard's full range. The Viennese manufacturer Ludwig Bösendorfer began making pianos with a concave keyboard (Bogenklaviatur) in 1910, and Dohnányi used them exclusively during the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When he moved to Budapest at the end of 1915, one of his own pianos was the short Clutsam-Bösendorfer, which is currently owned by the Budapest Museum of Music History. This album offers the first recording of this special instrument following a lengthy restoration.

Ernst von Dohnanyi (1877-1960)

• Dohnányi: Coppélia Waltz
• Dohnányi: Pastorale
• Dohnányi: Schatz Waltz (Treasure Waltz)
• Dohnányi: Suite nach altem Stil (Suite in the Olden Style) Op. 24
• Dohnányi: Three Pieces, Op. 23
• Dohnányi: Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song Op. 29