Birth

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September 28, 1927 in Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Naum Starkman was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 15, 1939, in Moscow, Russia. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known violinist. Naum showed an interest in music from a young age and began playing the piano at the age of five. Naum's talent was quickly recognized, and he was accepted into the Central Music School in Moscow at the age of seven. He studied under some of the most prominent piano teachers in Russia, including Yakov Flier and Lev Oborin. Naum's hard work and dedication paid off, and he won several prestigious awards, including the First Prize at the All-Union Piano Competition in 1958. After completing his studies at the Central Music School, Naum went on to study at the Moscow Conservatory. He continued to excel in his studies and won the Gold Medal at the Conservatory in 1963. Naum's talent and hard work were recognized by the Soviet government, and he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation in 1976. Naum's career as a concert pianist began in the 1960s, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented pianists of his generation. He performed extensively throughout the Soviet Union and Europe, and his performances were always met with critical acclaim. Naum was known for his technical skill and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. One of Naum's most memorable performances was at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1966. He performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, and his performance was so impressive that he was awarded the Silver Medal. Many critics felt that Naum should have won the Gold Medal, but the judges were under pressure to award the prize to a Soviet pianist. Naum continued to perform throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and he became known for his interpretations of the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. He also performed the works of contemporary composers, including Shostakovich and Prokofiev. In 1991, Naum emigrated from Russia to Israel, where he continued to perform and teach. He became a professor at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where he taught for over 20 years. Naum was known for his dedication to his students, and many of them went on to have successful careers as pianists. Naum's career was marked by numerous awards and honors. In addition to the awards he won in Russia, he was awarded the Israel Prize in 2008 for his contributions to the field of music. He was also awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2010. Naum's legacy as a pianist and teacher continues to inspire musicians around the world. He passed away on December 22, 2019, at the age of 80, but his music lives on through his recordings and the many students he taught over the years. Naum Starkman will always be remembered as one of the greatest pianists of his generation.

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