Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Erik Then-Bergh was a renowned classical pianist born on October 1, 1918, in Graz, Austria. He was the son of a Norwegian father and an Austrian mother. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Then-Bergh showed a natural talent for music, and his parents encouraged him to pursue a career in music. At the age of six, Then-Bergh began taking piano lessons with his mother. He quickly progressed and gave his first public performance at the age of nine. He continued his studies with various teachers, including Emil von Sauer, who was a student of Franz Liszt. Then-Bergh's talent was recognized early on, and he won several awards and competitions, including the prestigious Geneva International Music Competition in 1936. Then-Bergh's career took off in the 1940s, and he became known for his virtuosic performances and interpretations of the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. He was particularly admired for his ability to bring out the emotional depth and complexity of these composers' works. One of Then-Bergh's most notable performances was his interpretation of Bach's Goldberg Variations. He recorded the piece in 1951, and it became one of his most famous recordings. His interpretation was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth. Then-Bergh also had a close relationship with the composer Arnold Schoenberg. He studied with Schoenberg in Los Angeles in the 1940s and became one of the foremost interpreters of Schoenberg's music. He recorded several of Schoenberg's works, including the Piano Concerto and the Piano Pieces, Op. 11. Then-Bergh's career was not without its challenges. He suffered from a nervous breakdown in the 1950s, which forced him to take a break from performing. He also struggled with depression and anxiety throughout his life. However, he continued to perform and record, and his reputation as one of the greatest pianists of his generation only grew. Then-Bergh's final performance was in 1982, at the age of 64. He died the following year, on July 18, 1983, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Throughout his career, Then-Bergh received numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations in 1952. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1978 for his contributions to music. Then-Bergh's legacy as a pianist and interpreter of classical music continues to this day. His recordings are still widely admired for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. He is remembered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, and his contributions to the world of classical music will not be forgotten.

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