Birth

:

May 2, 1939

Death

:

July 30, 2001

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Irina Zaritzkaya was a renowned classical pianist born on August 17, 1947, in Moscow, Russia. She was born into a family of musicians, and her father, Alexander Zaritzky, was a well-known violinist. Irina began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from a young age. At the age of six, Irina began studying at the Central Music School in Moscow, where she was taught by some of the most prominent piano teachers in the country. She continued her studies at the Moscow Conservatory, where she was a student of the legendary pianist and teacher, Yakov Flier. In 1969, Irina won first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, which launched her career as a concert pianist. She went on to perform in some of the most prestigious concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Throughout her career, Irina was known for her exceptional technique and musicality. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff, and her recordings of his piano concertos are considered some of the best ever made. In addition to her solo performances, Irina was also a sought-after chamber musician. She frequently collaborated with other musicians, including her father, Alexander Zaritzky, and the violinist Gidon Kremer. Over the course of her career, Irina received numerous awards and honors. In addition to her victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition, she was awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian government in 1997. She was also a recipient of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Russian artist. Tragically, Irina's career was cut short when she was diagnosed with cancer in the early 2000s. She continued to perform despite her illness, but her health deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away on January 22, 2007, at the age of 59. Despite her untimely death, Irina Zaritzkaya's legacy lives on through her recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear her perform. She was a true master of the piano, and her contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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