Levitzki, Mischa, 1898-1941

Mischa Levitzki (1898-1941) was an American pianist and composer.

Born to naturalized American parents (Jacob Levine-Levitzki and Anna Levine-Levitzki) during a return to their native Ukraine, Levitzki began violin studies at the age of three. Developing an interest in the piano at six, he worked with Aleksander Michalowski in Warsaw (1905-1906). He made his concert debut in Antwerp in 1906 before going to New York with his parents. Shortly thereafter his father brought him to the attention of Walter Damrosch, who obtained a scholarship for him at the Institute of Musical Art as a pupil of Zygmunt Stojowski (1907-1911). In 1913 Levitzki entered the Berlin Hochschule für Musik, where he became the youngest student of Ernö Dohnányi and was awarded the Mendelssohn Prize in 1915. He made his American debut on 17 October 1916 at Aeolian Hall, New York; later he toured frequently in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Levitzki is best known for his virtuoso performances of the Romantic repertory. His own piano compositions figured prominently in his programs. Levitzki's recordings from 1927 to 1933 reveal an exceptional clarity and delicacy of articulation. Mischa Levitzki was a sibling of Marks Levine, Lewis L(evitzki) Lorwin, Bertha Levitzki and Joseph Levine. He composed and published a number of piano pieces prior to his sudden death from a heart attack at age 42.

From the description of Mischa Levitzki papers, 1898-1957 (bulk 1898-1941) (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 84321709

Mischa Levitzki ( b Kremenchug, Ukraine, 25 May 1898; d Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ, 2 Jan. 1941) was an American pianist and composer. Born to naturalized American parents (Jacob Levine-Levitzki and Anna Levine-Levitzki) during a return to their native Ukraine, Levitzki began violin studies at the age of three. Developing an interest in the piano at six, he worked with Aleksander Michalowski in Warsaw (1905-1906). He made his concert debut in Antwerp in 1906 before going to New York with his parents. Shortly thereafter his father brought him to the attention of Walter Damrosch, who obtained a scholarship for him at the Institute of Musical Art as a pupil of Zygmunt Stojowski (1907-1911). In 1913 Levitzki entered the Berlin Hochschule für Musik, where he became the youngest student of Ernõ Dohnányi and was awarded the Mendelssohn Prize in 1915. He made his American debut on 17 October 1916 at Aeolian Hall, New York; later he toured frequently in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Levitzki is best known for his virtuosi performances of the Romantic repertory. His own piano compositions figured prominently in his program. Levitzki’s recordings from 1927 to 1933 reveal an exceptional clarity and delicacy of articulation.

Mischa Levitzki was a sibling of Marks Levine (director, National Concert and Artists Corporation), Lewis L(evitzki). Lorwin (famed economist persecuted by Joseph McCarthy) Bertha Levitzki (pianist and harpist, later self-named Sandra Levitzki) and Joseph Levine. He published a number of piano pieces ( Valse in A, Arabesque Valsant, Valse Tzigane, Gavote, The Enchanted Nymph and Cadenza for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no.3) prior to his sudden death from a heart attack at age 42.

Sources:

From the guide to the Mischa Levitzki papers, 1898-1957, 1898-1941, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)