Marcia Baker was born on May 12, 1950, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a cellist. From a young age, Baker showed a natural talent for music and began studying the piano at the age of four. Baker's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied under renowned pianist and teacher Rosina Lhévinne. Baker's talent and dedication to her craft quickly became apparent, and she graduated with honors in 1972. After graduating from Juilliard, Baker began performing professionally as a soloist and chamber musician. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented and versatile pianist, with a particular affinity for the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. In 1975, Baker made her debut with the New York Philharmonic, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and Baker was hailed as a rising star in the classical music world. Over the next several years, Baker continued to perform with major orchestras and conductors around the world. She made several recordings, including a highly acclaimed album of Chopin's piano works, which won a Grammy Award in 1982. In addition to her solo work, Baker was also a sought-after chamber musician. She frequently collaborated with other musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman. Together, they performed at major music festivals and venues around the world. Baker's career was not without its challenges, however. In 1985, she suffered a serious injury to her right hand, which threatened to end her career. She underwent extensive rehabilitation and was eventually able to return to performing, although she had to make some adjustments to her technique. Despite this setback, Baker continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s and 2000s. She remained a beloved figure in the classical music world, known for her technical skill, musicality, and passion for the music. In addition to her performing career, Baker was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at several prestigious music schools, including the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in music themselves. Baker received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1986 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Sadly, Baker passed away on June 15, 2015, at the age of 65. Her legacy as a musician and teacher lives on, however, and she remains an inspiration to countless musicians around the world.

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