Birth

:

May 21, 1913 in Athens, Greece

Death

:

August 22, 1976 in Athens, Greece

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Gina Bachauer was a Greek classical pianist who was born on May 21, 1913, in Athens, Greece. She was the youngest of three children and was born into a family of musicians. Her father, Constantine Bachauer, was a violinist and her mother, Maria, was a singer. Gina began playing the piano at the age of three and showed a natural talent for music. At the age of six, Gina began studying with the renowned Greek pianist, Madame Calvocoressi. She continued her studies with her until the age of 16, when she won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. While at the Academy, she studied with Tobias Matthay and won several prizes for her performances. In 1936, Gina made her debut at the Wigmore Hall in London and received critical acclaim for her performance. She went on to perform in many major cities around the world, including New York, Paris, Berlin, and Moscow. In 1937, she won the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition in New York, which helped to launch her career in the United States. During World War II, Gina returned to Greece and performed for the troops. She also worked with the Red Cross and helped to raise money for the war effort. After the war, she continued to perform and became known for her interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, and Chopin. In 1950, Gina married Dimitri Mitropoulos, a Greek conductor who was the music director of the New York Philharmonic. The couple lived in New York and Gina continued to perform and record. She also taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. In 1960, Gina founded the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, which is held every four years in Salt Lake City, Utah. The competition has become one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world and has helped to launch the careers of many young pianists. Gina continued to perform and record until her death on August 22, 1976, in Athens, Greece. She was 63 years old. She was buried in the First Cemetery of Athens, where many other famous Greeks are buried. Throughout her career, Gina received many awards and honors. In addition to winning the Naumburg International Piano Competition, she was awarded the Order of the Phoenix by the Greek government and was made an honorary citizen of Salt Lake City, Utah. She also received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Utah and the University of Athens. Gina Bachauer was a talented and accomplished pianist who helped to bring classical music to audiences around the world. Her legacy lives on through the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, which continues to inspire and support young pianists today.

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