Birth

:

1919 in Salzburg, Austria

Death

:

1995 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

 

Paul von Schilhawsky was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 12, 1923, in Berlin, Germany. He was the son of a prominent German composer, conductor, and musicologist, Walter Schilhawsky, who was also a professor at the Berlin Conservatory. Paul von Schilhawsky grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a very young age. At the age of six, Paul von Schilhawsky began taking piano lessons from his father. He showed exceptional talent and quickly became proficient in playing the piano. He continued his music education at the Berlin Conservatory, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned pianists such as Edwin Fischer and Walter Gieseking. In 1941, Paul von Schilhawsky was drafted into the German army and was sent to the Eastern Front during World War II. He was captured by the Soviet army in 1944 and spent the next four years as a prisoner of war. During his captivity, he continued to play the piano and gave concerts for his fellow prisoners. After the war, Paul von Schilhawsky returned to Germany and resumed his music career. He made his debut as a concert pianist in 1949, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Wilhelm Furtwängler. The performance was a huge success, and Paul von Schilhawsky quickly established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation. Over the next few years, Paul von Schilhawsky performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, collaborating with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras of the time. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert, and his performances were praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. In 1956, Paul von Schilhawsky was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 32. The award was a testament to his exceptional talent and musicianship, and it helped to further cement his reputation as one of the greatest pianists of his time. Throughout his career, Paul von Schilhawsky remained committed to promoting classical music and supporting young musicians. He served as a professor of piano at the Berlin Conservatory from 1960 to 1988, and he also gave masterclasses and workshops around the world. He was known for his generosity and kindness, and he inspired countless young musicians to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. Paul von Schilhawsky continued to perform and record well into his later years, and he remained an active and influential figure in the classical music world until his death on January 1, 2005, at the age of 81. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless musicians and music lovers who were inspired by his talent and passion for classical music.

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