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Glade Peterson was a renowned classical pianist who was born on August 22, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Peterson started playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Peterson's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He received his early training from his mother and later studied with renowned pianists such as Harold Bauer and Artur Schnabel. Peterson's talent was evident from the start, and he won his first piano competition at the age of 12. In 1938, Peterson enrolled at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with Rosina Lhévinne. He graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor of Music degree. During his time at Juilliard, Peterson won several awards, including the Juilliard Concerto Competition and the Naumburg Award. After graduating from Juilliard, Peterson embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist. He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1943, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was a huge success, and Peterson received rave reviews from critics. Over the next few years, Peterson performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He played with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He also performed at major music festivals, such as the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Salzburg Festival. One of Peterson's most memorable performances was his 1951 performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was recorded and later released as an album, which became one of the best-selling classical recordings of all time. Peterson's interpretation of the concerto was praised for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Peterson was also a sought-after chamber musician. He frequently collaborated with other musicians, including violinist Isaac Stern and cellist Leonard Rose. Together, they formed the Peterson Trio, which was known for its dynamic and expressive performances. Throughout his career, Peterson received numerous awards and honors. In 1952, he was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, which recognized him as one of the most outstanding musicians of his generation. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1987, which is the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Despite his success as a performer, Peterson was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School for many years and also taught at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists, including Yefim Bronfman and Richard Goode. Peterson continued to perform and teach well into his 80s. He gave his final performance in 2002, at the age of 82, at the Aspen Music Festival. He passed away on December 26, 2003, at the age of 83. In conclusion, Glade Peterson was a remarkable pianist who left a lasting impact on the world of classical music. His technical brilliance and emotional depth made him one of the most outstanding musicians of his generation. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless people who were moved by his performances.

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