Henry Litolff (1818-1891) was a British-born pianist, composer and music publisher who made his career mainly on the Continent. Born in London, he became known as a virtuoso pianist and later as a successful publisher in Brunswick.

His best-known music comes from the series of works he called Concertos symphoniques, especially the scherzo from the Fourth Concerto, which became a popular showpiece. He also wrote operas and other concert works.

Litolff’s music is brilliant, extrovert and pianistically effective, standing in the Romantic virtuoso tradition. It often treats the piano with orchestral ambition and theatrical flair.

Though his broader catalogue is rarely heard, his name survives through the sparkling pieces that performers kept alive. Litolff belongs to the age when the piano strode onto the platform with a cape and a grin.