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Drago Startz was born on May 12, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. He was born into a family of musicians, with his father being a renowned pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Drago was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of four. As a child, Drago showed exceptional talent and was quickly recognized as a prodigy. He began performing in public at the age of six and was soon invited to perform at various concerts and festivals across Europe. At the age of ten, he made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor. Drago's talent continued to flourish as he grew older, and he began to receive international recognition for his performances. In 2001, he won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Moscow, and in 2003, he won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Following his success at the Van Cliburn Competition, Drago's career took off. He began performing with major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also began recording extensively, releasing albums of works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff, among others. One of Drago's most memorable performances took place in 2007, when he performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra in Red Square. The concert was attended by over 20,000 people and was broadcast live on television across Russia. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Drago also collaborated with other musicians and ensembles. He frequently performed chamber music with his mother, who was a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and he also worked with the Emerson String Quartet and the Tokyo String Quartet. Throughout his career, Drago received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 2010, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria, and in 2012, he was named a Steinway Artist, joining a select group of pianists who are recognized for their excellence in performance and musicianship. Despite his success, Drago remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to practice for hours each day and was known for his meticulous attention to detail in his performances. He also remained committed to promoting classical music to a wider audience, and he frequently gave masterclasses and workshops to young musicians. Tragically, Drago's career was cut short when he passed away in a car accident in 2015, at the age of 30. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, and he was mourned by musicians and fans around the world. In conclusion, Drago Startz was a remarkable pianist who achieved great success in his short career. His talent and dedication to classical music were evident from a young age, and he went on to become one of the most celebrated pianists of his generation. Although his life was cut short, his legacy lives on through his recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear him perform.

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