The Leschetizky Association

The Leschetizky Association was founded in New York in 1942 by Edith Sullivan Golde and other pupils of Theodor Leschetizky, to keep alive his ideals of piano performance and teaching. Originally open by invitation only to pupils of Leschetizky or his assistants, the Association now welcomes musicians of other teaching lineage as members, and music lovers, too–all who wish to participate in celebrating the teaching heritage of Leschetizky and his pupils.

The Association presents concerts and organizes playing opportunities for pianists of all ages and levels, in venues ranging from private studios to piano showrooms to concert halls, throughout the metropolitan area. Programs for young students include the Youth Concerts in New York and New Jersey, the adjudicated Gifted Young People’s Concerts, the Annual Awards Concert (presenting those chosen by the judges at the Gifted Young People’s concerts), masterclasses with renowned teachers, and the biennial Concerto Competition. For students 18 and over who are students of members and who are performers at a high level of artistry, we offer an annual Artist Student Recital.

For Association members the LA organizes numerous meetings across each season of the Members’ Musicales, gatherings at members’ studios where members play for one another the pieces they are preparing for performance. At the end of the season there is an annual Members’ Recital. A new program under development is the establishment of a Leschetizky Meet-up Group, which would bring in non-members as participants and increase our community outreach.  Members and guests may also participate in meetings of the Teachers Forum, where teaching problems and solutions are shared in a lively discussion.

In 2003, thanks to the generous bequest of a Steinway piano from the estate of Hilde Wittgenstein, widow of Paul Wittgenstein, a founding member of the Association, we inaugurated a concert series in the gallery of the Tenri Cultural Institute, presenting concert artist members in recital, as well as other special events sponsored by the Association. Membership in the Association includes free admission to the LA at TCI series (benefit concerts excepted).  A special event we present each season is the Live Music By Living Composers concert, presenting works by composers active in the area, performed by local musicians.

Every two years we sponsor the Concerto Competition ‘Theodor Leschetizky’ for Gifted Young Pianists, age 17 and younger. The competition is open internationally and teachers need not be members to submit students to the competition. For repertoire requirements and other information, please click on the Competition tab. The Leschetizky Association also publishes an annual News Bulletin, featuring scholarly articles and articles of general interest along with Association News, Studio News, and items from our Theodor Leschetizky Archives.