Occupation(s) Pianist Died 1940, Budapest, Hungary Role Musical Artist | Name Istvan Thoman Instruments Piano Genres Classical music | |
Similar People Erno Dohnanyi, Pal Kadosa, Leo Weiner, Georges Cziffra, Jeno Hubay | ||
Mária Thomán plays J.S.Bach : Arioso
István Thomán ([ˈiʃtvaːn ˈtomaːn]; 4 November 1862 – 22 September 1940) was a Hungarian piano virtuoso and music educator. He was a notable piano teacher, with students including Béla Bartók, Ernő Dohnányi and Georges Cziffra. His six-volume Technique of Piano Playing is still in use today.
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Early life and education
Thomán was born in Homonna, Zemplén County, Kingdom of Hungary (present-day Slovakia) in 1862 to Jewish parents, Dr. David Thomán and Rosa Weisberger. Recognized for his talent, he became a favorite student of Franz Liszt. Liszt appointed him to teach at the Royal Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest, but had to retire suddenly at the age of 45.
Career
Thomán toured with Liszt, was present at his death, and was a pallbearer at his funeral. Thomán, along with fellow Liszt student Árpád Szendy, were important in carrying on the Liszt style through their teaching at the Royal Hungarian Academy of Music.
As a teacher at the Royal Academy, Thomán took on a 17-year-old Ernő Dohnányi as a student in 1894. In 1903, a 21-year-old Béla Bartók dedicated his Study for the Left Hand to Thomán. The study is a Sonata performed entirely with one hand.
Thomán's daughter, Mária Thomán (1899–1948) became a noted concert violinist, studying with Jenő Hubay, Franz von Vecsey, Carl Flesch and Alma Moodie. She gave concerts throughout Europe, both as a soloist and in the accompaniment of philharmonic orchestras and chamber ensembles.