Country

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Turkey

Birth

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November 21, 1941 in Ankara, Turkey

Genre

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Keyboard

 

Idil Biret is a Turkish classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her exceptional talent and virtuosity. Born on November 21, 1941, in Ankara, Turkey, Biret showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Biret's early musical education was in Turkey, where she studied with Mithat Fenmen, a renowned pianist and composer. At the age of seven, she gave her first public performance, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 11 in F major with the Ankara State Symphony Orchestra. She continued to perform in concerts and competitions throughout her childhood and teenage years, winning numerous awards and accolades. In 1959, Biret was awarded a scholarship to study at the Paris Conservatory, where she studied with Nadia Boulanger, a legendary teacher and composer. Boulanger recognized Biret's exceptional talent and encouraged her to pursue a career as a concert pianist. Biret continued her studies in Paris, earning a degree in piano performance and winning several prestigious competitions, including the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in 1963. Biret's career as a concert pianist took off in the 1960s, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and accomplished pianists of her generation. She performed in concerts and recitals throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States, playing with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. One of the highlights of Biret's career was her performance of all of Beethoven's piano sonatas, which she recorded in the 1990s. The recordings were widely praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth, and they cemented Biret's reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven's music. Biret has also recorded the complete piano works of Chopin, Liszt, and Brahms, as well as works by other composers such as Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Debussy. Her recordings have won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d'Or. In addition to her career as a concert pianist and recording artist, Biret is also a respected teacher and mentor. She has taught at the Istanbul State Conservatory and the Ankara State Conservatory, and she has given masterclasses and workshops around the world. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as pianists and musicians. Throughout her career, Biret has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 2007, she was awarded the French Legion of Honor, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a civilian in France. She has also been awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Turkey, the Medal of Honor of the City of Paris, and the Medal of Honor of the City of Ankara. Despite her many accomplishments, Biret remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform in concerts and recitals around the world, and she remains committed to sharing her love of music with others through her teaching and mentorship.

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