Marta Moll de Alba was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 5, 1921, in Barcelona, Spain. She was the daughter of a prominent Catalan family, and her father was a well-known lawyer. From a young age, Marta showed a keen interest in music, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. Marta began her musical education at the age of six, studying piano with the renowned Spanish pianist Joaquín Rodrigo. She quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument, and by the age of ten, she was performing in public concerts. Her parents recognized her potential and sent her to study at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona, where she received a rigorous musical education. In 1936, at the age of fifteen, Marta made her debut as a soloist with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. The performance was a great success, and Marta received critical acclaim for her virtuosity and musicality. This marked the beginning of her career as a concert pianist. In 1939, Marta moved to Paris to continue her musical studies. She studied with the renowned French pianist Marguerite Long, who was impressed by Marta's talent and dedication. Marta also studied with the Hungarian pianist György Cziffra, who helped her develop her technique and musical interpretation. In 1941, Marta made her debut in Paris, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire. The performance was a great success, and Marta received rave reviews from the French press. She quickly established herself as one of the leading pianists of her generation. Over the next few years, Marta performed extensively throughout Europe, playing with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. She also recorded several albums, including a highly acclaimed recording of Chopin's complete Nocturnes. In 1950, Marta made her debut in the United States, performing with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. The performance was a great success, and Marta received critical acclaim for her virtuosity and musicality. She quickly became a favorite of American audiences, and she continued to perform regularly in the United States throughout her career. In 1953, Marta married the Spanish conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. The couple had two children, and they remained married until Rafael's death in 2014. Rafael was a highly respected conductor, and he often conducted Marta in her performances. In 1960, Marta was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Alfonso X the Wise, one of Spain's highest honors. She was also awarded the Gold Medal of Fine Arts by the Spanish government in recognition of her contributions to the arts. Throughout her career, Marta was known for her technical brilliance, musicality, and interpretive depth. She was particularly admired for her performances of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart. She was also a champion of contemporary music, and she premiered several works by Spanish composers. Marta continued to perform well into her eighties, and she remained an active and respected figure in the world of classical music until her death on January 17, 2018, at the age of 96. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians.

More....