Michael Zadora (1882 - 1946)

Michael Zadora (1882–1946) was an American pianist and composer of Polish extraction who studied in Europe with both Leschetizky and Busoni. One of his trademarks in performance was the emphasis he placed on speed, a characteristic that did not always endear him to the critics, who frequently slated him for missing out musical details. He maintained a close professional relationship with Busoni, who entrusted him to prepare the piano score of the opera Doktor Faust. Zadora wrote original works under the pseudonym of Pietro Amadis, and also made many arrangements of works by composers ranging from J.S. Bach to Offenbach.