Birth

:

January 8, 1920 in New York City, NY

Death

:

December 18, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Abbey Simon was a renowned classical pianist who was born on January 8, 1927, in New York City. He was the youngest of three children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Simon showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. He was a prodigious talent and gave his first public performance at the age of four. Simon's parents recognized his talent and enrolled him in the Juilliard School of Music when he was six years old. He studied with some of the most prominent piano teachers of the time, including Josef Lhévinne, James Friskin, and Rosina Lhévinne. Simon's talent continued to blossom, and he won several competitions and awards during his teenage years. In 1946, Simon made his debut with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Artur Rodzinski. He was just 19 years old at the time, and the performance was a resounding success. Simon's career took off, and he began performing with orchestras all over the world. He also began recording for major record labels, including RCA Victor and Columbia Records. Simon's repertoire was vast, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by several prominent composers, including Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, and William Schuman. One of Simon's most memorable performances was his 1962 recital at Carnegie Hall. The program included works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt, and Simon received a standing ovation from the audience. The New York Times called the performance "a triumph of musicianship and artistry." Simon continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also began teaching at the Juilliard School, where he mentored several generations of young pianists. In 1981, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan for his contributions to American culture. In 1992, Simon suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was forced to retire from performing, but he continued to teach and mentor young pianists. He also became an advocate for stroke awareness and prevention. Despite his health struggles, Simon remained active in the music world. He served as a judge for several international piano competitions and was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the world. Simon passed away on December 18, 2019, at the age of 92. He was remembered as one of the greatest pianists of his generation and a beloved teacher and mentor to countless young musicians. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless lives he touched through his music.

More....