Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

October 7, 1909 in Odessa, Ukraine

Death

:

December 27, 1995 in London, England

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Shura Cherkassky was a renowned classical pianist who was born on October 7, 1909, in Odessa, Ukraine. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a pianist and composer. Cherkassky showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. He received his first piano lessons from his mother, who was also a pianist. Cherkassky's family moved to the United States in 1923, and he continued his musical education in New York City. He studied with renowned pianist Josef Hofmann, who was impressed with Cherkassky's talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Cherkassky made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1928, at the age of 19, and received critical acclaim for his performance. Cherkassky's career took off in the 1930s, and he became known for his virtuosic playing and unique interpretations of classical music. He was particularly known for his performances of the music of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Cherkassky was also known for his ability to improvise and his willingness to take risks in his performances. Cherkassky performed extensively throughout his career, both in the United States and internationally. He made his European debut in 1935, and he quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Cherkassky was also a prolific recording artist, and he recorded extensively throughout his career. His recordings include works by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and many other composers. He was known for his ability to capture the essence of a piece of music in his recordings, and his recordings are still highly regarded today. Cherkassky received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded the Order of Merit by the Polish government in 1974, and he was made an honorary citizen of Warsaw in 1985. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1989, and he was made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1991. Cherkassky continued to perform well into his 90s, and he remained an active and beloved figure in the world of classical music until his death in 1995. He was known for his warmth and generosity, and he was beloved by audiences and fellow musicians alike. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he inspired throughout his career.

More....