Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

August 15, 1925 in Naples, Italy

Death

:

February 1, 2015 in Paris, France

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Aldo Ciccolini was a renowned classical pianist who was born on August 15, 1925, in Naples, Italy. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer. Ciccolini showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Ciccolini's family moved to Paris when he was eight years old, and he continued his musical education there. He studied at the Paris Conservatory with Marguerite Long and Yves Nat. He won first prize in piano at the conservatory at the age of 16. Ciccolini made his debut as a concert pianist in 1949, performing in Paris. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist and began performing throughout Europe. In 1955, he made his debut in the United States, performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ciccolini's repertoire was vast, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, and Satie. He was also a champion of lesser-known composers, such as Erik Satie, whose works he recorded extensively. Ciccolini was a prolific recording artist, and his recordings received critical acclaim. He recorded for several major record labels, including EMI, Philips, and Deutsche Grammophon. His recordings of the complete piano works of Satie and Ravel are considered definitive. Ciccolini was also a respected teacher and taught at several institutions, including the Paris Conservatory and the Salzburg Mozarteum. He was known for his dedication to his students and his ability to inspire them to achieve their full potential. Throughout his career, Ciccolini received numerous awards and honors. In 1962, he was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of the complete piano works of Satie. In 2002, he was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest honor in France. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2004. Ciccolini continued to perform and record well into his 80s. He gave his final concert in Paris in 2011, at the age of 86. He passed away on February 1, 2015, at the age of 89. In conclusion, Aldo Ciccolini was a gifted pianist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His virtuosity, dedication to his students, and passion for lesser-known composers have left a lasting impact on the world of classical music. His recordings and performances will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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