Ruth Velten was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on May 12, 1925, in Berlin, Germany. Her parents were both musicians, and they encouraged her to pursue music from a young age. Velten showed a natural talent for music, and she began playing the piano at the age of four. Velten's family moved to the United States in 1933, and she continued her music education there. She studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1946. She then went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she received a Master of Music degree in 1948. Velten's career as a concert pianist began in the early 1950s. She made her debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1952, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented and skilled pianist. Over the course of her career, Velten performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also performed in many of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Velten was known for her interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert. She was particularly admired for her performances of Beethoven's piano sonatas, which she recorded for the Deutsche Grammophon label in the 1960s. Her recordings of these works are still considered to be some of the best ever made. In addition to her performances as a soloist, Velten was also a dedicated chamber musician. She frequently performed with other musicians, including violinist Isaac Stern and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. She was a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York City for many years. Velten received many awards and honors over the course of her career. In 1961, she was awarded the Harriet Cohen International Music Award, which recognized her as one of the world's leading pianists. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1975, in recognition of her contributions to German culture. Velten continued to perform well into her later years. She gave her final concert in 1995, at the age of 70. She passed away on December 28, 2006, at the age of 81. In conclusion, Ruth Velten was a talented and accomplished classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. Her performances as a soloist and chamber musician were admired by audiences and critics alike, and her recordings of Beethoven's piano sonatas are still considered to be some of the best ever made. Velten's legacy as a musician continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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