Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Yi-Kwei Sze was a renowned classical music artist who was born on December 25, 1923, in Shanghai, China. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a family that valued education and music. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a pianist who taught him how to play the piano at a young age. Sze's musical talent was evident from an early age, and he began performing in public when he was just six years old. He continued to study music throughout his childhood and adolescence, and in 1941, he enrolled in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. There, he studied under some of the most prominent musicians of the time, including pianist and composer Ding Shande and composer He Luting. In 1945, Sze graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with a degree in piano performance. He then began performing professionally, both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented pianists in China, and his performances were praised for their technical skill and emotional depth. In 1949, Sze moved to the United States to continue his musical studies. He enrolled in the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and conducting with Jean Morel. During his time at Juilliard, Sze continued to perform extensively, both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. He also began to gain recognition for his compositions, which were performed by the Juilliard Orchestra and other ensembles. In 1952, Sze graduated from Juilliard with a Master of Music degree. He then began a career as a concert pianist, performing extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He also continued to compose, and his works were performed by some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the world. Throughout his career, Sze was known for his technical skill and his ability to convey emotion through his playing. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart, and his performances of these composers' works were praised for their clarity, sensitivity, and depth. Sze's career was marked by numerous highlights, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Albert Hall. He also performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. In addition to his performances, Sze was also recognized for his contributions to music education. He taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan, among other institutions. He was known for his dedication to his students and for his ability to inspire them to achieve their full potential. Sze's contributions to classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts' Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Order of the Rising Sun, among other honors. Despite his many accomplishments, Sze remained humble and dedicated to his craft throughout his life. He continued to perform and teach until his death on January 1, 2010, at the age of 86. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his compositions, and the countless musicians he inspired and taught throughout his career.

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