Sascha Gorodnitzki Dies at 81; Pianist, Teacher at Juilliard

Sascha Gorodnitzki, a former concert pianist who later taught at the Juilliard School of Music for more than 50 years, has died at 81 of a circulatory illness, a spokesman for the school said.

Gorodnitzki, who died Friday, had taught at Juilliard since 1932 after a successful concert career under the baton of such conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Monteux and Fritz Reiner. A native of Russia who came to America as a boy, Gorodnitzki recorded for Capitol and Columbia records before turning to teaching.

Among Gorodnitzki’s students were pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Lars Roos, Paul Rutman and the late Herbert Rogers.