Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Gerald Robbins was a renowned classical pianist who was born on August 31, 1933, in New York City. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents recognized his musical talent at an early age. Robbins began playing the piano when he was just four years old, and by the time he was six, he was already performing in public. Robbins received his formal musical education at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under the tutelage of Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied with other notable pianists, including Vladimir Horowitz and Rudolf Serkin. Robbins was a prodigious talent, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. In 1952, Robbins made his debut with the New York Philharmonic, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. The performance was a resounding success, and it marked the beginning of Robbins' career as a concert pianist. Over the next few years, Robbins performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1956, Robbins won the prestigious Leventritt Competition, which was one of the most important piano competitions of the time. The competition was open to pianists under the age of 30, and it was known for its rigorous selection process. Robbins' victory in the competition cemented his reputation as one of the most talented young pianists of his generation. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Robbins continued to perform extensively, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert, and he was praised for his technical virtuosity and his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music. In addition to his performances, Robbins was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music, among other institutions. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists in their own right. Robbins' career was not without its challenges, however. In the 1980s, he began to experience health problems that affected his ability to perform. Despite these difficulties, he continued to play and to teach, and he remained a beloved figure in the classical music world. Robbins passed away on May 27, 2018, at the age of 84. His legacy as a pianist and a teacher lives on, however, and he is remembered as one of the most talented and influential musicians of his time.

More....