Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

June 30, 1926 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

February 12, 2011 in Vienna, Austria

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

Peter Alexander was a renowned classical music artist who was born on June 30, 1926, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of a Jewish couple, who owned a small textile business. Alexander showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He also learned to play the violin and the accordion. In 1938, when Alexander was just 12 years old, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. His family was forced to flee the country, and they eventually settled in England. Alexander continued his music studies in London and eventually enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music. After completing his studies, Alexander began performing as a concert pianist. He quickly gained a reputation for his virtuosic playing and his ability to interpret the works of the great composers. He also began composing his own music, which was heavily influenced by the classical tradition. In 1950, Alexander made his debut as a soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra. The performance was a huge success, and Alexander was soon in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. He performed all over Europe and the United States, and his recordings were widely praised by critics. One of Alexander's most memorable performances was his 1955 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He performed a program of works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt, and the audience gave him a standing ovation. The concert was broadcast on national radio, and it helped to cement Alexander's reputation as one of the world's greatest pianists. In addition to his solo work, Alexander was also a dedicated chamber musician. He frequently performed with other musicians, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and cellist Pablo Casals. He also formed his own chamber group, the Peter Alexander Trio, which performed throughout Europe and recorded several albums. Throughout his career, Alexander received numerous awards and honors. In 1960, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the Austrian government for his contributions to music. He was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit by the German government in 1976. In addition to his performing and composing work, Alexander was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at several music schools throughout Europe and the United States, and many of his students went on to have successful careers in music. Alexander continued to perform and record well into his later years. He was known for his dedication to the classical tradition and his ability to bring new life to even the most familiar works. He died on February 12, 2011, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest classical music artists of the 20th century.

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