Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Frances Conover Fitch was an American classical pianist and music educator who was born on August 10, 1917, in New York City. She was the daughter of a prominent lawyer and a talented pianist who encouraged her to pursue music from a young age. Fitch began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Fitch's early musical education was guided by her mother, who was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. She studied with several renowned pianists, including Olga Samaroff, Egon Petri, and Artur Schnabel. Fitch's talent was recognized early on, and she won several awards and competitions as a young pianist. In 1937, Fitch made her debut with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. This performance was a major milestone in her career and helped establish her as one of the leading pianists of her generation. Over the next few years, Fitch continued to perform with major orchestras and conductors, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. During World War II, Fitch served in the United States Army as a member of the Women's Army Corps. She continued to perform for troops and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for her service. After the war, Fitch returned to her career as a pianist and began teaching at the Juilliard School of Music. Fitch's teaching career was just as successful as her performing career. She was known for her rigorous approach to teaching and her ability to bring out the best in her students. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as pianists, including Richard Goode, Peter Serkin, and Murray Perahia. In addition to her work as a performer and teacher, Fitch was also a prolific recording artist. She recorded several albums for the RCA Victor label, including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann. Her recordings were highly acclaimed and helped to establish her as one of the leading pianists of her time. Fitch's career was marked by many highlights and achievements. In 1951, she became the first American pianist to perform in the Soviet Union, playing a series of concerts in Moscow and Leningrad. She was also the first American pianist to perform in China, playing a series of concerts in Beijing and Shanghai in 1979. Fitch received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1963, she was awarded the prestigious Harriet Cohen International Music Award, which recognized her as one of the world's leading pianists. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1995, which is the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Fitch continued to perform and teach well into her later years. She retired from teaching at the Juilliard School in 1991 but continued to give masterclasses and perform in concerts. She passed away on November 28, 1999, at the age of 82. Frances Conover Fitch was a remarkable musician and educator who left a lasting impact on the world of classical music. Her talent, dedication, and passion for music inspired generations of pianists and helped to shape the course of classical music in the 20th century.

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