Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

December 2, 1928 in St. Pölten, Austria

Death

:

April 16, 2019 in Vienna, Austria

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Jörg Demus was a renowned Austrian classical pianist and composer who was born on December 2, 1928, in St. Pölten, Austria. He was the son of a music teacher and began playing the piano at a young age. Demus showed exceptional talent and was soon recognized as a prodigy. He received his first piano lessons from his mother and later studied at the Vienna Music Academy with Richard Hauser. In 1948, Demus won the first prize at the Geneva International Music Competition, which marked the beginning of his international career. He went on to perform in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Musikverein in Vienna. Demus was known for his sensitive and nuanced interpretations of classical music, particularly the works of Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven. Throughout his career, Demus collaborated with many renowned musicians, including the violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the cellist Antonio Janigro, and the soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. He also recorded extensively, producing over 200 albums, many of which are considered to be definitive interpretations of classical works. In addition to his performing career, Demus was also a respected composer. He wrote numerous works for piano, including sonatas, variations, and character pieces. His compositions were often inspired by the classical masters, but also incorporated elements of modernism and atonality. Demus received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria, and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was also a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation. Despite his success, Demus remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his unwavering commitment to the music. He continued to perform and teach until his death on April 16, 2019, at the age of 90. Jörg Demus was a true master of the piano and a beloved figure in the world of classical music. His legacy lives on through his recordings, compositions, and the countless musicians he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

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