Livia Rado was a renowned classical music artist who was born on December 12, 1921, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a prominent Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor, Lajos Rado, who was also her first music teacher. Livia showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her father recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Livia's family moved to Vienna, Austria, when she was six years old, and she continued her music education there. She studied piano with Richard Robert and composition with Joseph Marx at the Vienna Music Academy. She also attended masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Artur Schnabel and Edwin Fischer. In 1938, Livia's family fled Austria due to the Nazi occupation, and they settled in the United States. Livia continued her music education at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied piano with Josef Lhevinne and composition with Bernard Wagenaar. She also attended masterclasses with pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz and Rudolf Serkin. Livia made her debut as a pianist in 1942, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Artur Rodzinski. The performance was a great success, and Livia received critical acclaim for her virtuosic playing and musicality. She went on to perform with many other orchestras in the United States and Europe, including the London Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Vienna Symphony. Livia was also a prolific chamber musician and collaborated with many renowned musicians, including violinist Isaac Stern, cellist Leonard Rose, and pianist Rudolf Serkin. She was a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and performed regularly with the group. In addition to her performing career, Livia was also a respected music educator. She taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. She was known for her rigorous teaching style and her ability to inspire her students to reach their full potential. Livia received many awards and honors throughout her career, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1977, the Hungarian Order of Merit in 1991, and the National Medal of Arts in 1993. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Livia continued to perform and teach well into her 80s, despite suffering from Parkinson's disease. She passed away on September 7, 2001, at the age of 79. Her legacy as a pianist, chamber musician, and educator continues to inspire generations of musicians.

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