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Eric Parkin was a renowned classical pianist who was born on October 7, 1928, in London, England. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Eric Parkin started playing the piano at a young age and showed great talent and passion for music. Parkin received his early education at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under the guidance of Harold Craxton. He later continued his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, where he was taught by Marguerite Long and Jacques Février. Parkin's training in Paris was a turning point in his career, as he was exposed to a wider range of musical styles and techniques. In 1951, Parkin made his debut at the Wigmore Hall in London, which was followed by a series of successful performances in the UK and Europe. He gained recognition for his exceptional technique and interpretation of classical music. Parkin's repertoire included works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, and Debussy, among others. Parkin's career reached new heights in the 1960s when he became a regular performer on BBC Radio 3. He was also a frequent guest on television programs, where he showcased his talent and passion for music. Parkin's performances were highly acclaimed, and he received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to classical music. One of Parkin's most significant achievements was his recording of the complete piano works of Erik Satie. The project took several years to complete and involved extensive research and collaboration with Satie scholars. The recordings were released in 1988 and received critical acclaim, establishing Parkin as one of the foremost interpreters of Satie's music. Parkin's other notable recordings include the complete piano works of Cyril Scott, the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven, and the complete piano works of Debussy. His recordings were praised for their technical precision, musicality, and sensitivity to the composer's intentions. Parkin continued to perform and record well into his later years, and his contributions to classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1996, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. He was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 2001. Eric Parkin passed away on March 24, 2010, at the age of 81. He left behind a legacy of exceptional performances and recordings that continue to inspire and delight classical music lovers around the world.

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