Period

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Baroque

 

 

Romantic

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Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Greta Kraus was a Canadian classical pianist who was born on August 3, 1907, in Vienna, Austria. She was the daughter of a prominent Viennese physician, and her family was well-connected in the city's cultural circles. Kraus began playing the piano at a young age and showed great promise as a musician. In 1925, Kraus moved to Berlin to study at the Hochschule für Musik with the renowned pianist Artur Schnabel. She also studied with pianist and composer Ferruccio Busoni in Switzerland. Kraus's studies with these two great musicians had a profound impact on her playing and helped shape her musical style. In 1933, Kraus moved to London, England, where she quickly established herself as a leading pianist. She made her debut at Wigmore Hall in 1934 and went on to perform at many of the city's top venues. Kraus was known for her elegant and refined playing style, which was characterized by a deep understanding of the music she played. During World War II, Kraus performed extensively for the troops, both in England and abroad. She also gave many benefit concerts to raise money for war-related causes. After the war, Kraus continued to perform and record, becoming one of the most respected pianists of her generation. Kraus was particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. She was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by many leading composers of the day, including Benjamin Britten, Francis Poulenc, and Igor Stravinsky. In 1950, Kraus made her debut in the United States, performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She went on to perform at many of the country's top venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Kraus was also a frequent performer on radio and television, and her recordings were widely praised for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. Throughout her career, Kraus received many honors and awards for her contributions to classical music. In 1967, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. She was also awarded the Canadian Music Council Medal in 1972 and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1991. Kraus continued to perform and teach until her death on June 30, 1998, at the age of 90. She was remembered as one of Canada's greatest classical musicians, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of pianists.

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