Described by his contemporaries as the greatest pianist of the era, Josef Hofmann (1876 – 1957) performed on world stages for more than fifty years, enjoying phenomenal professional success and personal adulation. This is the only biography of arguably the most multifaceted artist the piano world has known.
Using previously unpublished letters, documents, interviews, and personal testimonies from people who knew Hofmann best including Henry Z. Steinway and Shura Cherkassky, Elizabeth Carr uncovers Hofmann’s world, from celebrated prodigy to established artist and private citizen. Hofmann’s extensive pianistic career—as well as other lesser-known professional pursuits into composing, recording, teaching, and music school administrating—are treated in detail. Revealed is an immensely complicated man beneath the artist who mesmerized international audiences with his unique performances from his debut in 1887 until his final recital in 1946.
Whether a general reader searching for a provocative account of a complex and controversial personality, a student or teacher seeking facts on this forgotten giant, or a diehard pianophile hungry for previously unrevealed details, this biography will satisfy the most curious and demanding of readers.
Elizabeth Carr was previously director of the Cape Cod Conservatory in Massachusetts and is now an arts and education consultant. She is the author of Shura Cherkassky: The Pianos Last Czar and has written articles for Clavier, American Music Teacher, and PianoTime. She is the recipient of the Presidents Award from the National Guild of Community Music Schools. She has also chaired committees for the Massachusetts Council on the Arts, was a longtime judge for National Piano Guild auditions, and served as a trustee of the Newport Music Festival.
Chapter One: PRODIGY
1876-1888
Chapter Two: HOFMANN AND RUBINSTEIN
STUDENT AND MASTER
1892-1894
Chapter Three: PIANIST
Chapter Four: COMPOSER
1882-1923
Chapter Five: THE CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
1925
Chapter Six: TEACHER
1925-1938
Chapter Seven: TEACHING
Chapter Eight: DIRECTOR
Chapter Nine: CAREER RESUMED 1933 - THE GOLDEN JUBILEE 1937
Chapter Ten: DISINTEGRATION
1939-1946
Chapter Eleven: PERFORMER
Chapter Twelve: STEINWAY ARTIST
1901-1957
Chapter: Thirteen RECORDING ARTIST
Chapter Fourteen: INVENTOR
Chapter Fifteen: MORE THAN A PIANIST
Josef Hofmann, Husband and Father
Chapter Sixteen: CODA
Chapter Seventeen:
JOSEF HOFMANN, THE PIANO’S FORGOTTEN GIANT
Josef Hofmann was a pianist (and composer, teacher, and inventor) of supreme importance in the first half of the twentieth century who has not, until now, been the subject of a biography—a long overdue omission for the pianist Rachmaninov most admired. This book takes us through Hofmann’s fascinating life in the context of the enormous changes taking place in society and in the world of classical music during the first half of the twentieth century. — Stephen Hough, pianist, author of Rough Ideas: Reflections on Music and More
Elizabeth Carr has written an elegant and very honest biography, re-discovering a major international pianist whose touring career spanned three continents. Her work celebrates Hofmanns magical audience appeal without forgetting his human limitations. Interestingly, it explores his accomplishments in the broader world of human invention — Carl Cunningham, former music editor and performing arts critic, Houston Post
Finally, a comprehensive book about the fascinating life and legendary career of Josef Hofmann! Elizabeth Carr has given a long-needed book: the journey from celebrated child prodigy, lionized concert pianist, composer, inventor, and director of the Curtis Institute; to his disintegration from alcoholism and marital issues. — Michael Lewin, pianist, professor of piano, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
