Frederic d'Ursel was a Belgian classical music artist who was born on December 12, 1933, in Brussels, Belgium. He was born into a family of aristocrats, and his father was a diplomat. Frederic's mother was a pianist, and she introduced him to music at a young age. He began playing the piano when he was just four years old, and he showed a natural talent for the instrument. Frederic's family moved to the United States when he was a child, and he continued his musical education there. He studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was mentored by the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne. Frederic's talent was quickly recognized, and he won several awards and competitions during his time at Juilliard. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Frederic returned to Europe and began performing as a soloist. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist, and his performances were praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. Frederic's repertoire included works by classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, as well as contemporary composers such as Stravinsky and Bartók. One of Frederic's most notable performances was at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, where he played a solo recital to great acclaim. He also performed with several orchestras, including the Brussels Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. Frederic's performances were often broadcast on television and radio, and he became a popular figure in the classical music world. In addition to his performing career, Frederic was also a respected teacher. He taught at several music schools, including the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and the École Normale de Musique de Paris. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as musicians themselves. Frederic received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1960, he was awarded the Prix de Rome, a prestigious award for young artists. He was also awarded the Order of Leopold, one of Belgium's highest honors, in recognition of his contributions to the arts. Despite his success, Frederic remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to perform and teach until his death in 2014 at the age of 80. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he inspired and taught over the course of his career. Frederic d'Ursel will always be remembered as one of Belgium's greatest classical music artists.

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