Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

December 13, 1874 in Orel, Russia

Death

:

December 2, 1944 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Josef Lhevinne was a renowned classical pianist who was born on December 13, 1874, in Orel, Russia. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father, Karl Lhevinne, was a well-known pianist and composer. Josef began his musical training at a young age, and by the age of nine, he was already performing in public. In 1892, Josef Lhevinne moved to Moscow to study at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied under the tutelage of Vasily Safonov. He graduated from the conservatory in 1896 with a gold medal, and he was immediately offered a teaching position at the conservatory. Lhevinne's career as a performer began in earnest in 1900 when he made his debut in Berlin. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented pianists of his generation, and he went on to perform in major cities throughout Europe and the United States. One of Lhevinne's most notable performances was his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1906. The performance was a huge success, and Lhevinne was praised for his technical skill and musicality. He went on to perform at Carnegie Hall many times throughout his career, and he became a favorite of audiences in New York City. In addition to his successful career as a performer, Lhevinne was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1896 to 1918, and he later taught at the Juilliard School in New York City from 1922 to 1942. Many of his students went on to become successful pianists in their own right, including Van Cliburn and Rosalyn Tureck. Lhevinne was known for his technical skill and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, and he was also a champion of the music of Scriabin. Throughout his career, Lhevinne received many awards and honors. In 1910, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir by the Russian government, and in 1929, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Michigan and the University of Moscow. Lhevinne continued to perform and teach until his death on December 2, 1944, in New York City. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, and his recordings continue to be admired by music lovers around the world.

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