Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Dorrit Matson was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on May 12, 1933, in New York City, to a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist. From a young age, Matson showed a keen interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of five. Matson's talent was evident from an early age, and she quickly became a prodigy. She won her first piano competition at the age of eight and went on to win several more throughout her childhood. Matson's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Matson attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied under the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne. She graduated with honors in 1953 and went on to study with several other prominent pianists, including Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein. Matson's career as a concert pianist began in the 1950s, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented pianists of her generation. She made her debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1955, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. The performance was a huge success, and Matson received rave reviews from critics. Over the next few years, Matson performed with several other major orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also gave solo recitals in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Matson's repertoire was vast and included works by many of the great composers, including Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Brahms. She was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Franz Liszt, and her recordings of his music are still considered some of the best ever made. Matson's career was not without its challenges, however. In the 1960s, she suffered a serious injury to her right hand, which threatened to end her career. She underwent several surgeries and intensive physical therapy, and eventually, she was able to return to performing. However, the injury had a lasting impact on her playing, and she was forced to adapt her technique to compensate for the loss of strength and flexibility in her hand. Despite this setback, Matson continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1987 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1992. Matson retired from performing in the early 1990s, but she continued to be active in the music world. She taught master classes and served as a judge for several international piano competitions. She also wrote several books on music and gave lectures on the history of classical music. Matson passed away on January 19, 2003, at the age of 69. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, and her recordings and performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

More....