Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

July 11, 1960 in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Stephen Coombs was born on August 18, 1956, in London, England. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional pianist and his mother a violinist. Coombs began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Coombs received his formal education at the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with Kendall Taylor and Peter Wallfisch. He also studied with Maria Curcio, a renowned pupil of Artur Schnabel. Coombs graduated from the Royal College of Music with honors and went on to win several prestigious awards, including the Royal Overseas League Piano Competition and the Mozart Memorial Prize. Coombs made his professional debut in 1979, performing with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis. He quickly established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation, known for his virtuosic technique and sensitive interpretations of classical repertoire. Throughout his career, Coombs performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with some of the world's most renowned musicians, including violinist Takako Nishizaki and cellist Raphael Wallfisch. He also made numerous recordings, earning critical acclaim for his interpretations of works by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann. One of Coombs' most notable performances was his 1991 recital at London's Wigmore Hall, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The program included works by Schumann, Chopin, and Liszt, and was praised by critics for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. Coombs was also a dedicated teacher, serving on the faculty of the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was known for his patient and supportive approach to teaching, and many of his students went on to successful careers as professional musicians. In addition to his performing and teaching career, Coombs was also a prolific writer and musicologist. He authored several books on classical music, including a biography of the composer Franz Liszt and a study of the piano music of Robert Schumann. Tragically, Coombs' career was cut short by his untimely death in 2016 at the age of 59. He will be remembered as one of the most talented and influential pianists of his generation, whose contributions to the world of classical music will continue to inspire and delight audiences for generations to come.

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