KNOW YOUR MUSICIAN SERIES 8

February - 12

Jan LadislavDussek (February 12, 1760 in Čáslav – March 20, 1812 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye) was a Czech composer and pianist. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century. In some of his piano writing, Dussek anticipated features of musical Romanticism.

Dussek was one of the first piano virtuosos to travel widely throughout Europe. He performed at courts and concert venues from London to Saint Petersburg and Milan, and was celebrated for his technical prowess. During a nearly ten-year stay in London, he was instrumental in extending the size of the pianoforte, and was the recipient of one of John Broadwood's first 6-foot (1.8-meter) pianos. He was cited by Harold Schonberg as the first pianist to sit at the piano with his profile to the audience, earning him the appellation "le beau visage." Ever since, all pianists have sat on stage in this manner. Until the rise of Beethoven, he was one of the very most prominent pianists in Europe.