Anna Duke was born on May 15, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. She was born into a family of musicians, with her father being a renowned pianist and her mother a violinist. From a young age, Anna was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Anna's talent was evident from a young age, and she began performing in public at the age of six. She quickly gained recognition for her exceptional musical abilities and was invited to perform at various concerts and events. At the age of ten, Anna was accepted into the prestigious Vienna Conservatory, where she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Maria Schmidt. Under Schmidt's tutelage, Anna's skills as a pianist flourished, and she began to develop her own unique style and interpretation of classical music. Anna's first major performance came at the age of 14 when she was invited to perform at the Vienna State Opera. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, and she was hailed as a prodigy in the classical music world. Over the years, Anna continued to perform at various concerts and events, both in Austria and internationally. She was invited to perform at the Salzburg Festival, the Lucerne Festival, and the Edinburgh International Festival, among others. In 2005, Anna won the prestigious International Piano Competition in Moscow, Russia. Her performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 was hailed as one of the greatest performances in the history of the competition, and she was awarded the first prize. Anna's success continued to grow, and she was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2010, Anna released her debut album, which featured works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. The album was met with critical acclaim and was praised for Anna's exceptional technical skills and her ability to bring a fresh interpretation to classical works. Anna's career continued to flourish, and she was awarded numerous accolades and awards for her contributions to classical music. In 2015, she was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, and in 2018, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Throughout her career, Anna remained dedicated to promoting classical music and inspiring the next generation of musicians. She established the Anna Duke Foundation, which provides scholarships and support to young musicians, and she regularly gave masterclasses and workshops to aspiring pianists. Sadly, Anna passed away on June 10, 2021, at the age of 36. Her legacy as one of the greatest pianists of her generation lives on, and her contributions to classical music will continue to inspire and influence musicians for generations to come.

More....