Aleksander Michałowski

(1851 Kamieniec Podolski [Poland] – 1938 Warsaw [Poland])

 Aleksander Michałowski was a Polish pianist, composer, and educator. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory under Ignaz Moscheles (piano) and Carl Reinecke (composition), among others. He made his debut as a concert pianist in Leipzig, performing Chopin's Piano Concerto in E minor.

In 1871, during his stay in Lviv, Michałowski visited Karol Mikuli, a pupil of Chopin, and received artistic advice regarding the interpretation of Chopin's works. Among the last teachers he sought instruction from was Franz Liszt, with whom he took lessons in Weimar.

In 1874, Michałowski settled in Warsaw and engaged in composition and educational activities. In 1888, while performing in Saint Petersburg, he was offered a teaching position at the local conservatory by Anton Rubinstein. Rubinstein was impressed by Michałowski's technical excellence and extensive knowledge, and wished for him to impart the necessary teachings for the correct interpretation of Chopin's works to students and faculty (at that time, Michałowski already had Chopin's complete works in his repertoire).

Aleksander Michałowski is considered the founder of the 'Polish School' of piano in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His compositions are primarily piano works, including 36 pieces with opus numbers, as well as several unnumbered works such as mazurkas, preludes, and gavottes. He also undertook the editorial publication of concert and educational works by composers such as Cramer and Clementi, and compiled etudes to prepare for the performance of Chopin's complete etudes.

Major Works (Piano)

• Lullaby in D-flat major, Op. 1
• Etude on Chopin's Impromptu in A-flat major, Op. 2
• Album Leaf in D major, Op. 3
• Gavotte in G minor, Op. 4
• Mazurka in F-sharp minor, Op. 5
• Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 6
• Mazurka in F minor, Op. 7
• Minuet in E-flat minor, Op. 8
• Prelude in B-flat minor, Op. 9
• Romance in C major, Op. 10
• Sad Waltz, Op. 11
• Melody in E major, Op. 12
• Brilliant Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 13
• Prelude in A minor, Op. 14
• Minuet in G major, Op. 15
• Mazurka in A-flat major, Op. 16
• Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 17
• Mazurka in F major, Op. 18
• Mazurka in E minor, Op. 19
• Gavotte in B-flat minor, Op. 20
• Impromptu in D-flat major, Op. 21
• Romance in D-flat major, Op. 22
• Waltz in A major, Op. 23
• Dream in A major, Op. 24
• Fleeting Thoughts in A minor, Op. 25
• Capriccietto in A-flat major, Op. 26
• Lullaby in A-flat major, Op. 27
• Impromptu Waltz in G major, Op. 28
• Melancholy Waltz in B-flat minor, Op. 29
• Ballade, Op. 30
• Mazurka in B minor, Op. 31
• Five Preludes, Op. 33
• Waltz No. 4, Op. 34
• Two Bagatelles, Op. 35
• Polonaise in G-sharp minor, Op. 36