David Saperton

David Saperton (1889–1970) was an American pianist known especially for being the first pianist to play the entire original compositions as well as the complete transcriptions of his father-in-law, Leopold Godowsky. He also recorded a number of Godowsky’s Studies on Chopin's Études as well as other pieces. His students at the Curtis Institute include Jorge Bolet, Shura Cherkassky, Sidney Foster, Julius Katchen, John Simms, Abbey Simon and Eleanor Sokoloff. As a pianist he is regarded as a great dramatist, a sensitive poet and superb colorist.

Saperton was born David Sapirstein in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 29, 1889. David Saperton began the study of piano at the age of six, under the guidance of his grandfather, an internationally-known tenor and musician. Mr. Saperton's father, a graduate physician of the University of Pittsburgh, was also a basso of repute. Leopold Godowsky, his later father-in law, heard David as a child prodigy of eight. His principal teacher was German pianist and editor August Spanuth (1857–1920), who was known as a music critic in New York City and later took a professorship at the Berlin Stern Conservatory. Young Saperton also attended masterclasses of Ferruccio Busoni and may have had some lessons with Rafael Joseffy.