THE APOSTLE OF THE LEFT HAND

Abstract

The literature for the left hand has a special place in Godowsky’s piano heritage, crowning his creative mastery with his transcriptions of Chopin’s studies. Requiring the most elevated qualities from the virtuoso pianist, they are illustrated by Study no.3 in A minor – first version (op. 10 no. 2) and Study no. 43 in C# minor (op. 25 no. 12). Composer-performer of exceptional value, inspired by Chopin’s studies, the thing that Leopold Godowsky accomplishes with his transcriptions of these for the left hand is to remain in Chopin’s poetic spirit while making a step forward in the development of the piano literature for the left hand.