Margaret Kohler was born on May 12, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. She was born into a family of musicians, with her father being a renowned pianist and her mother a violinist. From a young age, Margaret showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Margaret's early years were spent studying music at the Vienna Conservatory, where she received rigorous training in piano performance, music theory, and composition. She quickly distinguished herself as a prodigious talent, winning numerous awards and competitions throughout her teenage years. In 2003, Margaret was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, where she continued her studies under the tutelage of renowned pianist and teacher, Yoheved Kaplinsky. During her time at Juilliard, Margaret honed her skills as a performer and composer, and began to develop her own unique style and voice. Margaret's breakthrough performance came in 2007, when she was invited to perform at the Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall as part of the Juilliard Orchestra's annual concert series. Her performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, was hailed as a triumph, and cemented her reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of her generation. Over the next few years, Margaret continued to build her career, performing at major concert halls and festivals around the world. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, and was praised for her technical virtuosity and emotional depth. In 2011, Margaret released her debut album, "Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes," which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. The album showcased Margaret's ability to capture the delicate nuances and emotional complexity of Chopin's music, and established her as a major force in the classical music world. Margaret's career reached new heights in 2014, when she was invited to perform at the prestigious Salzburg Festival in Austria. Her performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the festival, and cemented her reputation as one of the world's leading pianists. In addition to her performing career, Margaret was also an accomplished composer, with several of her works being performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world. Her compositions were characterized by their lyrical beauty and emotional depth, and reflected her deep love and understanding of the classical music tradition. Throughout her career, Margaret received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2012, and the Gilmore Artist Award in 2016. She was also a dedicated teacher, and served on the faculty of the Juilliard School and the Vienna Conservatory, where she inspired and mentored countless young musicians. Tragically, Margaret's career was cut short when she passed away in a car accident in 2018, at the age of 33. Her death was a devastating loss to the classical music world, and she was mourned by fans, colleagues, and students around the world. However, her legacy lives on through her recordings, compositions, and the countless musicians she inspired and influenced throughout her career.

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