Country

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United Kingdom

Birth

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November 14, 1930 in London, England

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Keyboard

 

Peter Katin was a renowned classical pianist who was born on November 14, 1930, in London, England. He was the son of a Russian father and an English mother. Katin began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. He was soon recognized as a child prodigy and began performing in public at the age of seven. Katin received his early musical education at the Trinity College of Music in London, where he studied with Harold Craxton. He later continued his studies with Ilona Kabos and Maria Curcio, both of whom were renowned pianists and teachers. Katin's talent and dedication to his craft soon earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. Katin made his professional debut in 1948, at the age of 18, when he performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was a great success, and Katin was praised for his technical skill and musical sensitivity. He soon became a sought-after performer, both in the UK and abroad. Over the course of his career, Katin performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with many of the most celebrated conductors of his time, including Sir Adrian Boult, Sir John Barbirolli, and Sir Malcolm Sargent. Katin was particularly renowned for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many works by British composers, including Malcolm Arnold, William Mathias, and Alan Rawsthorne. In addition to his performances, Katin was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at the Royal College of Music in London and was a visiting professor at many other institutions around the world. He was known for his patient and supportive approach to teaching, and many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists. Katin's recordings were also highly acclaimed, and he made many recordings for the EMI and Decca labels. His recordings of the complete piano works of Chopin and Schumann are particularly highly regarded. Throughout his career, Katin received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1984 and was awarded the Gold Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 1990. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Surrey and the University of East Anglia. Katin continued to perform and teach well into his later years, and he remained an active and respected figure in the classical music world until his death on March 19, 2015, at the age of 84. His legacy as a pianist, teacher, and champion of classical music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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