Role

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Composer  

Genre

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Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Dean Witten was born on May 15, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. From a young age, Witten showed a natural talent for music, and he began playing the piano at the age of four. Witten's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. He began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher, Maria João Pires, at the age of six. Under her guidance, Witten developed a deep understanding of classical music and honed his technical skills. At the age of 12, Witten made his debut performance at Carnegie Hall, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was a huge success, and Witten received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing and musical maturity. Over the next few years, Witten continued to perform at major venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Sydney Opera House. He also won several prestigious awards, including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Witten's repertoire was vast and included works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, among others. He was known for his expressive playing and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of each piece he performed. In addition to his solo performances, Witten also collaborated with other musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman. He was a sought-after chamber musician and performed regularly with various ensembles. Despite his success, Witten remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to study with Pires and other renowned teachers, always striving to improve his playing and deepen his understanding of music. Tragically, Witten's career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of 28. He underwent treatment but ultimately succumbed to the disease in 2014. Witten's legacy lives on through his recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear him play. He was a true musical genius and a shining example of the power of dedication and hard work.

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