Birth

:

August 11, 1920 in Niagara Falls, NY

Death

:

October 23, 1992 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

William Masselos was an American classical pianist who was born on February 11, 1920, in Newark, New Jersey. He was the son of Greek immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father played the violin, and his mother was a singer. Masselos began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Masselos studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a student of Rosalyn Tureck and Carl Friedberg. He made his debut at the age of 17 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, playing the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. This performance was a huge success, and Masselos quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. Throughout his career, Masselos performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also gave numerous solo recitals and chamber music performances, both in the United States and abroad. One of the highlights of Masselos's career was his performance of the Piano Concerto No. 1 by Charles Ives with the New York Philharmonic in 1951. This was the first time that the concerto had been performed in its entirety, and Masselos's performance was widely praised for its technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. Masselos was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many works by American composers, including Elliott Carter, Aaron Copland, and Virgil Thomson. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Charles Ives, and he recorded several of Ives's piano works for the Columbia Records label. In addition to his performing career, Masselos was also a respected teacher and lecturer. He taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan, among other institutions. He also gave masterclasses and lectures at universities and music schools throughout the United States and Europe. Masselos received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Naumburg Award in 1948, the Harriet Cohen International Music Award in 1950, and the Prix de Rome in 1951. He was also a Fulbright Scholar and a Guggenheim Fellow. Despite his many accomplishments, Masselos remained humble and dedicated to his art. He once said, "I am not a great pianist, but I am a good one. I try to play with sincerity and honesty, and I hope that my audiences will appreciate that." Masselos died on October 23, 1992, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy of exceptional musicianship and a deep commitment to the art of classical piano. His recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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