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Romantic

 

 

Modern

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Livia Rev was a Hungarian classical pianist who was born on August 23, 1916, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a prominent Hungarian lawyer, and her mother was a talented amateur pianist. Livia showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. She was a prodigious talent and quickly became recognized as one of the most promising young pianists in Hungary. Livia began her formal music education at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied under the renowned Hungarian pianist and composer, Zoltán Kodály. She also studied with other prominent Hungarian musicians, including Béla Bartók and Ernst von Dohnányi. Livia's talent and dedication to her craft quickly became apparent, and she was soon recognized as one of the most promising young pianists in Hungary. In 1937, Livia won first prize in the prestigious Franz Liszt Piano Competition, which was held in Budapest. This was a major achievement for the young pianist, and it helped to launch her career as a professional musician. She went on to perform extensively throughout Europe, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and dynamic pianists of her generation. Livia's career continued to flourish throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and she became known for her virtuosic performances of works by composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. She also became a champion of contemporary music, and she premiered works by many of the leading composers of the day, including Béla Bartók, György Ligeti, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. In 1956, Livia emigrated to the United States, where she continued to perform and teach. She became a professor of piano at the University of Southern California, and she also taught at the Juilliard School in New York City. Livia's teaching was highly respected, and many of her students went on to become successful musicians in their own right. Throughout her career, Livia received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1963, she was awarded the Kossuth Prize, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Hungarian artist. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, and she was made an honorary citizen of Budapest. Livia continued to perform and teach until her death in 1996. She left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and influential pianists of the 20th century. Her recordings continue to be highly regarded by music lovers and critics alike, and her influence can be heard in the playing of many of today's leading pianists. Livia Rev will always be remembered as a true master of the piano and a champion of classical music.

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