Birth

:

June 26, 1920 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

October 23, 2006 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Leonid Hambro was a classical music artist who was born on August 16, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Russian immigrants who had fled the country during the Russian Revolution. Hambro's parents were both musicians, and they encouraged their son to pursue a career in music from a young age. Hambro began playing the piano when he was just four years old, and he quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with several renowned teachers, including Rudolf Serkin and Artur Schnabel, and he made his debut as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was just 12 years old. In 1938, Hambro enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Rudolf Serkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski. While at Curtis, Hambro won several awards and competitions, including the prestigious Naumburg Award in 1941. After graduating from Curtis, Hambro began a successful career as a concert pianist. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also appeared as a soloist at many of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Salzburg Festival. In addition to his work as a soloist, Hambro was also a highly sought-after chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Juilliard String Quartet and the Beaux Arts Trio. He was also a founding member of the Hambro Quartet, which was named after him. Hambro was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to bring out the best in the music he performed. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. He was also a champion of contemporary music, and he premiered many works by living composers. Throughout his career, Hambro received many awards and honors. In addition to the Naumburg Award, he was also the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. Hambro was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. He was known for his generosity and his ability to inspire his students to reach their full potential. Hambro continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He passed away on April 23, 2006, at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, as well as a beloved teacher and mentor to generations of young musicians.

More....