Birth

:

April 3, 1905 in Budapest, Hungary

Death

:

November 6, 1986 in Asheville, NC

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Lili Kraus was a Hungarian-born classical pianist who gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and interpretations of Mozart's piano works. Born on April 3, 1903, in Budapest, Hungary, Kraus began playing the piano at a young age and showed exceptional talent. She studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she was a student of István Thomán, a renowned pianist and teacher. Kraus made her debut as a soloist with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 17, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. She continued to perform extensively throughout Europe, earning critical acclaim for her performances of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and other composers. In 1938, Kraus and her husband, the violinist Sándor Vegh, fled Hungary due to the rise of Nazi Germany and settled in New Zealand. There, she continued to perform and teach, becoming a beloved figure in the country's musical community. In 1946, she moved to the United States and began performing and recording extensively. Kraus's performances of Mozart's piano works were particularly renowned, and she became known as one of the foremost interpreters of his music. She recorded all of Mozart's piano sonatas and concertos, as well as many of his chamber works. Her recordings of Mozart's piano concertos with the Vienna Festival Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Simon, are considered some of the definitive interpretations of these works. Kraus also performed and recorded works by other composers, including Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Chopin. She was known for her technical precision, clarity of tone, and musical sensitivity, and her recordings continue to be highly regarded by critics and audiences alike. Throughout her career, Kraus received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1966, she was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her services to German music. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Kraus continued to perform and record well into her 80s, and she remained an active and influential figure in the classical music world until her death on November 6, 1986, in Asheville, North Carolina. Her legacy as a pianist and interpreter of Mozart's music continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

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