Introduction
Jan Smeterlin (7 February 1892 in Bielsko, Austro-Hungarian Empire – 18 January 1967 in London) was a Polish concert pianist. He is especially known as an interpreter of Frédéric Chopin and Karol Szymanowski.
Life
Smeterlin performed his first concert at age seven, but despite exhibiting talent in his youth, he was forced to study law. He won a scholarship to study with pianist Leopold Godowsky while studying in Vienna, Austria. Godowsky was to be one of Smeterlin’s most important teachers. Smeterlin made his professional debut in 1920.
Smeterlin was a cooking enthusiast and authored a book of recipes. The book was published posthumously. In his later years, Smeterlin and Didi, his wife, lived in New York City. Shortly after the couple returned to London in 1967, Smeterlin died.
Szymanowski
Over the course of his career, Smeterlin maintained a close relationship with Polish composer Karol Szymanowski. The two were both colleagues and friends, and Szymanowski dedicated of a volume of mazurkas to Smeterlin and later published the pair’s letters to each other. Smeterlin frequently performed Szymanowski's works.
Recordings
Smeterlin recorded more music of Chopin than of any other composer. Over his career, Smeterlin recorded for the Philips, Mace, Allegro, Polydor, and RCA Victor recording labels.