Paul Wittgenstein

Paul Wittgenstein
Paul Wittgenstein playing the piano
Paul Wittgenstein playing the piano
Background information
Born(1887-11-05)November 5, 1887
Vienna, Austria-Hungary
DiedMarch 3, 1961(1961-03-03) (aged 73)
New York City, US
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano

Paul Wittgenstein (November 5, 1887 – March 3, 1961) was an Austrian-American concert pianist notable for commissioning new piano concerti for the left hand alone, following the amputation of his right arm during the First World War. He devised novel techniques, including pedal and hand-movement combinations, that allowed him to play chords previously regarded as impossible for a five-fingered pianist.

He was an older brother of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.