Vilmos (Willi, Willy or Wilhelm) Thern (22 June 1847 – 7 April 1911)[1] and Lajos (Louis) Thern (18 December 1848 – 12 March 1920)[1] were Hungarian pianists and teachers of German descent. They were the sons of the composer and conductor Károly Thern.

Willi was born in Pest, Louis in Buda.[2] They studied under their father; Louis had further study in Leipzig under Ignaz Moscheles and Carl Reinecke, and made his debut at the Gewandhaus.[2] They formed a famous piano duo,[3] appearing from 1866 onwards.[4] They were heard annually in London and Liverpool, made many tours of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and in Paris they played in fashionable salons and were friendly with people such as Prince Metternich, Baron d'Erlanger, Rossini and Berlioz.

Their repertoire included works by Franz Liszt, who often attended their concerts and even played with them, as well as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.[2]

They were also prolific arrangers for piano 4-hands, including:

Both pianists later became piano teachers in Vienna. Willy Thern's best known student was Erwin Schulhoff.[10][11] Louis's students included Lubka Kolessa[12] and Leo Ascher.[13]

Sergei Bortkiewicz's Russian Dance, Op. 18 for piano duet was dedicated to Louis Thern.[14]

Liszt's transcription for piano 4-hands of four marches by Franz Schubert, S. 632, was dedicated to Willi and Louis Thern.

References

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  1. ^ a b Kislexikon
  2. ^ a b c world’s greatest musicians
  3. ^ Jean-Pierre Thiollet, 88 notes pour piano solo, « Solo de duo », Neva Editions, 2015, p.97. ISBN 978-2-3505-5192-0
  4. ^ Billroth-Brahms Lettere
  5. ^ IMSLP
  6. ^ IMSLP
  7. ^ Pianophilia
  8. ^ Pianophilia
  9. ^ Universal Edition
  10. ^ Erwin Schulhoff: A Brief History
  11. ^ Musikverein
  12. ^ Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
  13. ^ ILAB LILA
  14. ^ Bortkiewicz: Life and works