Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

January 5, 1920 in Brescia, Italy

Death

:

June 12, 1995 in Lugano, Switzerland

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli was a renowned Italian classical pianist who was born on January 5, 1920, in Brescia, Italy. He was the son of a professional violinist and began playing the piano at a young age. Michelangeli's talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became recognized as a prodigy. Michelangeli's early musical education was under the tutelage of his mother, who was a pianist. He later studied at the Milan Conservatory, where he was taught by some of the most prominent pianists of the time, including Alfredo Casella and Carlo Lonati. Michelangeli's talent was quickly recognized, and he won several awards and competitions during his time at the conservatory. Michelangeli's career as a professional pianist began in the 1940s, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented pianists of his generation. He made his debut in 1942, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Milan Symphony Orchestra. Michelangeli's performance was a huge success, and he was immediately recognized as a rising star in the classical music world. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Michelangeli continued to perform and record extensively, both as a soloist and as a member of various orchestras. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Chopin, Debussy, and Ravel, and his recordings of these composers' works are still considered some of the best ever made. One of Michelangeli's most famous performances was his 1957 recording of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with the Philharmonia Orchestra. The recording is still considered one of the definitive interpretations of the piece, and it helped to cement Michelangeli's reputation as one of the greatest pianists of his time. Michelangeli was also known for his perfectionism and his meticulous attention to detail. He was known to spend hours practicing and rehearsing, and he was famous for his ability to play even the most difficult pieces flawlessly. Michelangeli's dedication to his craft was evident in his performances, which were always precise, controlled, and technically flawless. Despite his success, Michelangeli was known for his reclusive nature and his reluctance to perform in public. He was notoriously selective about the concerts he would agree to play, and he often canceled performances at the last minute. Michelangeli's reputation for being difficult to work with only added to his mystique, and he became something of a legend in the classical music world. Michelangeli's career continued to flourish throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and he continued to perform and record extensively. He was particularly known for his performances of the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, and his recordings of these composers' works are still considered some of the best ever made. One of Michelangeli's most famous performances was his 1970 recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations. The recording is still considered one of the definitive interpretations of the piece, and it helped to cement Michelangeli's reputation as one of the greatest pianists of all time. Michelangeli's career began to slow down in the 1980s, and he performed less frequently as he grew older. However, he continued to record, and his recordings of the works of Chopin, Debussy, and Ravel are still considered some of the best ever made. Michelangeli received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the prestigious International Music Prize in 1959.

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