Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925) was a Polish-German composer, pianist and teacher, once one of the most admired piano composers in Europe. Born in Breslau, he studied in Dresden and Berlin and built a major career as a virtuoso and composer.

His works include piano pieces, concertos, orchestral music, chamber works and an opera. The Spanish Dances and many brilliant piano miniatures were especially popular.

Moszkowski’s music is elegant, sparkling and superbly pianistic, with a strong gift for melody and figuration. It belongs to the refined virtuoso tradition rather than to heavy symphonic argument.

His reputation declined sharply in the twentieth century, but pianists have never entirely let him disappear. Moszkowski’s best pieces still know how to catch the light off a fast-moving hand.