Birth

:

1966

Death

:

January 6, 2011

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Cecile Daroux was a French classical music artist who was born on May 12, 1920, in Paris, France. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Her father was a pianist, and her mother was a singer, so it was no surprise that Cecile showed an interest in music from a young age. Cecile began her musical education at the age of six when she started taking piano lessons. She quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument and progressed rapidly. By the age of ten, she had already given her first public performance, playing a Mozart piano concerto with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra. In 1935, Cecile entered the Paris Conservatory, where she studied piano with Marguerite Long and chamber music with Jacques Thibaud. She was an exceptional student and won several prizes during her time at the conservatory, including the first prize in piano in 1938. After completing her studies, Cecile began her professional career as a concert pianist. She made her debut in 1940, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra. Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly established herself as one of the leading pianists of her generation. Over the next few years, Cecile performed extensively throughout Europe, playing with some of the most prestigious orchestras and conductors of the time. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann. In 1949, Cecile made her debut in the United States, playing with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. Her performance was a sensation, and she was immediately hailed as a major new talent. She went on to perform regularly in the United States, playing with many of the country's leading orchestras. Throughout her career, Cecile was also a dedicated chamber musician. She played regularly with some of the most distinguished musicians of her time, including violinist Isaac Stern and cellist Pablo Casals. She was also a member of the Daroux Trio, which she founded with her husband, violinist Jacques Daroux, and cellist Maurice Gendron. Cecile's career was marked by many highlights, including her performances at the Edinburgh Festival in 1950 and the Salzburg Festival in 1952. She also made several recordings, including a highly acclaimed set of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas. In recognition of her achievements, Cecile received many awards and honors during her lifetime. She was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1955 and was promoted to Officier in 1977. She also received the Grand Prix du Disque in 1954 and the Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros in 1960. Cecile continued to perform and teach until the end of her life. She passed away on January 22, 1990, at the age of 69. Her legacy as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century lives on through her recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear her play live.

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