Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

November 28, 1895 in Valencia, Spain

Death

:

June 28, 1980 in Los Angeles, CA

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

José Iturbi was a Spanish classical pianist, conductor, and film actor who was born on November 28, 1895, in Valencia, Spain. He was the youngest of six children and was born into a family of musicians. His father, Luis Iturbi, was a conductor and composer, and his mother, Amalia Piquer, was a pianist and singer. José Iturbi began playing the piano at the age of three and gave his first public performance at the age of seven. Iturbi studied at the Paris Conservatory with Isidor Philipp and Louis Diémer, and later with Wanda Landowska. He made his debut as a concert pianist in Paris in 1912 and quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and was known for his technical brilliance and his ability to play with great sensitivity and emotion. In 1929, Iturbi made his debut in the United States, performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. He quickly became a favorite of American audiences, and in 1933 he was invited to perform at the White House for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Iturbi's career as a conductor began in the 1930s, when he was invited to conduct the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He went on to conduct many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He was known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians and for his dynamic and expressive conducting style. In addition to his career as a pianist and conductor, Iturbi was also a film actor. He appeared in several Hollywood films in the 1940s and 1950s, including "Anchors Aweigh" and "That Midnight Kiss," in which he played himself as a concert pianist. Throughout his career, Iturbi received many honors and awards. In 1943, he was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government for his contributions to French music. He was also awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Spanish government in 1951. In 1953, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the entertainment industry. One of Iturbi's most memorable performances took place in 1943, when he performed at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert was broadcast live on the radio and was heard by millions of people around the world. Iturbi's performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 was particularly memorable, and he received a standing ovation from the audience. Iturbi continued to perform and conduct well into his 70s, and he remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music until his death on June 28, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. He was 84 years old. José Iturbi was a true master of his craft, and his contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come. His technical brilliance, expressive playing, and dynamic conducting style continue to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

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