Paul van der Linden was a Dutch classical music artist who was born on May 12, 1950, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was the youngest of three children born to his parents, who were both musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Paul showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Paul's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his mother and later studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory. He also studied with renowned pianists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Martha Argerich. In 1972, Paul made his debut as a soloist with the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He quickly gained recognition for his virtuosity and musicality, and his career took off. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. One of the highlights of Paul's career was his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 1985. The performance was hailed as a triumph, and Paul received a standing ovation from the audience. He went on to perform the concerto with many other orchestras around the world. Paul was also a prolific recording artist, and he recorded many of the great works of the classical repertoire. His recordings of the piano concertos of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms are considered to be among the finest ever made. He also recorded solo works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy, among others. In addition to his solo career, Paul was also a dedicated chamber musician. He performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Guarneri Quartet and the Emerson Quartet. He also collaborated with many of the world's leading instrumentalists, including violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Throughout his career, Paul received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1987, he was awarded the Order of the Netherlands Lion, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Dutch citizen. He was also awarded the Edison Award, the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy Award, for his recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5. Despite his success, Paul remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He was known for his meticulous preparation and attention to detail, and he always put the music first. He was also a beloved teacher, and he taught at the Amsterdam Conservatory for many years. Sadly, Paul's career was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer in 1995. He continued to perform and record despite his illness, but he passed away on June 15, 1997, at the age of 47. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he inspired and taught throughout his career.

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