Fany Solter was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 12, 1925, in Vienna, Austria. She was the daughter of a well-known conductor and composer, and her mother was a pianist. Fany showed an interest in music from a young age and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Fany's family fled Austria during World War II and settled in the United States. She continued her music education at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied under the renowned pianist and teacher, Rosina Lhévinne. Fany's talent and dedication to her craft were evident, and she quickly became one of Lhévinne's star pupils. After completing her studies at Juilliard, Fany embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1950, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was a resounding success, and Fany received critical acclaim for her virtuosic playing and musical interpretation. Over the next several years, Fany continued to perform at major concert halls around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. She also appeared as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Fany's repertoire was vast and included works by many of the great composers of the classical and romantic eras, including Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Brahms. She was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Franz Liszt, and her performances of his music were considered some of the finest of her time. In addition to her concert career, Fany was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at the Juilliard School for many years and also gave masterclasses around the world. Her students included many successful pianists, and she was known for her ability to inspire and guide young musicians. Throughout her career, Fany received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1964, she was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, and in 1975, she was made an honorary citizen of Vienna. She was also a recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government. Fany continued to perform and teach well into her later years, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music until her death in 2012 at the age of 87. Her legacy as a pianist and teacher continues to inspire generations of musicians, and her recordings and performances remain a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication to her craft.

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