Country

:

Romania

Birth

:

November 30, 1945 in Galati, Romania

Death

:

April 17, 2022 in Lausanne, Switzerland

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Radu Lupu is a Romanian classical pianist who has been hailed as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Born on November 30, 1945, in Galați, Romania, Lupu showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He studied at the George Enescu Music School in Bucharest and later at the Moscow Conservatory under Heinrich Neuhaus. Lupu's career began to take off in the 1960s when he won several international piano competitions, including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1966. This victory brought him international recognition and led to numerous concert engagements around the world. Throughout his career, Lupu has been known for his sensitive and nuanced interpretations of classical repertoire, particularly the works of Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms. He has also been praised for his technical mastery and his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music he plays. One of Lupu's most notable performances was his 1972 recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Zubin Mehta. The recording received widespread critical acclaim and helped establish Lupu as one of the leading pianists of his generation. Lupu has also been recognized for his contributions to the classical music world with numerous awards and honors. In 1991, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year award, and in 1994 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music. He has also been awarded the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra) twice, in 1995 and 2006. Despite his success, Lupu has remained relatively private and has shied away from the spotlight. He has been known to cancel performances at the last minute and has been selective about the repertoire he plays. However, his recordings and performances continue to be highly regarded by critics and audiences alike, and he remains one of the most respected and admired pianists of his generation.

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