Birth

:

February 25, 1922 in Leipzig, Germany

Death

:

February 3, 2014 in Bavaria, Germany

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Walter Heinz Bernstein was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music. He was born on June 12, 1922, in Vienna, Austria, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Walter showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Walter's family moved to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime in Austria. They settled in New York City, where Walter continued his music education. He attended the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied piano under the tutelage of Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied composition with Bernard Wagenaar and conducting with Edgar Varèse. After completing his studies, Walter began his career as a pianist and conductor. He made his debut as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic in 1943, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. The performance was a huge success, and Walter received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing. Over the next few years, Walter performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. He also collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors of the time, such as Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, and Georg Solti. In addition to his career as a pianist, Walter was also an accomplished conductor. He served as the music director of the New York City Ballet from 1948 to 1960, where he worked closely with choreographer George Balanchine. He also conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Walter was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms. He was particularly renowned for his performances of Beethoven's piano sonatas, which he recorded for Columbia Records in the 1950s. His recordings of the sonatas are still considered some of the best interpretations of the works. Throughout his career, Walter received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of music. In 1958, he was awarded the Prix Italia for his recording of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. He was also awarded the Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance – Instrumental Soloist or Soloists (With or Without Orchestra) in 1962 for his recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4. In addition to his performing and conducting career, Walter was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Juilliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, where he mentored many young musicians who went on to have successful careers in music. Walter continued to perform and conduct well into his later years. He gave his final performance as a pianist in 1995, at the age of 73. He passed away on October 27, 2003, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest classical music artists of the 20th century.

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