Birth

:

November 12, 1929

Death

:

November 12, 2012

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Anthony di Bonaventura was a renowned classical pianist who was born on September 2, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Italian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, di Bonaventura showed a natural talent for music, and he began playing the piano at the age of four. Di Bonaventura's musical education began at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with the legendary pianist Rudolf Serkin. He later continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with Rosina Lhévinne. Di Bonaventura's talent was quickly recognized, and he won numerous awards and competitions, including the prestigious Leventritt Competition in 1953. Di Bonaventura's career as a concert pianist began in the 1950s, and he quickly established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1954, and he went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Di Bonaventura was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the music of Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered many works by leading composers of his time, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Milton Babbitt. One of the highlights of di Bonaventura's career was his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Bernstein in 1965. The performance was widely acclaimed, and it cemented di Bonaventura's reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven's music. Di Bonaventura was also a dedicated teacher, and he taught at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston for over 40 years. He was known for his rigorous approach to teaching and for his ability to inspire his students to reach their full potential. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists and teachers. Throughout his career, di Bonaventura received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1987, he was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, which is given annually to outstanding classical musicians in the United States. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1997. Di Bonaventura continued to perform and teach until his death on November 12, 2005, at the age of 76. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation and as a dedicated teacher who inspired generations of musicians. His recordings and performances continue to be celebrated by classical music lovers around the world.

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