Vladimir de Pachmann or Pachman (27 July 18486 January 1933) was a pianist from the Russian Empire of German ethnicity, especially noted for performing the works of Chopin and for his eccentric performing style.
Pachmann was born in Odesa, Russian Empire as Vladimir Pachmann. The von or later de as a nobiliary particle was most probably added to his name by himself. Three of his brothers serving as officers in the Imperial Russian Army did not use the particle.
His father was a professor at the University of Odesa and a celebrated amateur violinist who had met Beethoven, Weber and other notable composers in Vienna.[1] He was his son's only teacher until he turned 18,[1] at which time he went to Vienna to study music at the Vienna Conservatory, studying piano with Josef Dachs (a pupil of Carl Czerny) and theory with Anton Bruckner. He gained the Conservatory's Gold Medal[1] and made his concert debut in Odesa in 1869, but until 1882 he appeared in public infrequently, spending his time in further study. He then toured throughout Europe and the United States, and was acclaimed as a top player of his era. His programmes consisted almost exclusively of the works of Chopin, with only an occasional movement by Bach, Scarlatti, Mendelssohn or Henselt.[1]
In Denmark he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.[1]
For 18 years, from 1890-1908, he toured across the United States beginning and ending in New York, while also promoting the Chickering Piano.[2]
Pachmann was one of the earliest performers to make recordings of his work, beginning in 1906 with recordings for the Welte-Mignon reproducing piano and in 1907 for the gramophone.
He was also famous for gestures, muttering and addressing the audience during his performance; the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition characterized it as the "playfulness of his platform manner". Critic James Huneker called him the "Chopinzee", and George Bernard Shaw reported that he "gave his well-known pantomimic performance, with accompaniments by Chopin."
In April 1884 Pachmann married the Australian-born British pianist Maggie Okey (Annie Louisa Margaret Okey, 1865–1952), who was later known as Marguerite de Pachmann. They did concert tours of Europe together and had three sons – Victor, who died in infancy, Adriano and Leonide (called Lionel). The marriage ended after seven years.
Vladimir de Pachmann died in Rome in 1933, aged 84.