Birth

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May 23, 1933 in Denver, CO

Death

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January 26, 2003 in Sister Bay, WI

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

John Browning was an American classical pianist who was born on June 23, 1933, in Denver, Colorado. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a violinist. Browning began playing the piano at the age of five and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Browning's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began studying with renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne at the Juilliard School in New York City when he was only ten years old. Lhévinne was impressed with Browning's talent and took him on as a private student. Browning's talent continued to develop, and he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 18. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented young pianists of his generation. In 1955, he won the prestigious Leventritt Competition, which launched his career as a soloist. Throughout his career, Browning performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also performed at major music festivals, such as the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. Browning was known for his virtuosic technique and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by many of the leading composers of his time, including Samuel Barber, Elliott Carter, and William Bolcom. Browning's recordings were highly acclaimed, and he won numerous awards throughout his career. He won three Grammy Awards, including one for his recording of Barber's Piano Concerto, which he premiered in 1962. He also won the Avery Fisher Prize in 1991, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. Despite his success, Browning was known for his modesty and his dedication to his craft. He continued to perform and record well into his seventies, and he remained a beloved figure in the classical music world until his death in 2003. One of Browning's most memorable performances was his 1962 premiere of Samuel Barber's Piano Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The concerto was written specifically for Browning, and he worked closely with Barber to develop his interpretation of the piece. The premiere was a huge success, and the concerto has since become one of the most popular works in the piano concerto repertoire. Another highlight of Browning's career was his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, also known as the "Emperor" concerto, with the New York Philharmonic in 1972. The performance was recorded and released on an album that won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist or Soloists (with or without orchestra). Browning was also known for his collaborations with other musicians. He frequently performed with his longtime friend and fellow pianist Leon Fleisher, and the two recorded several albums together. He also performed with violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, among others. In addition to his performing career, Browning was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Peabody Institute, among other institutions.

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