Birth

:

September 30, 1927

Death

:

October 17, 2019 in Budapest, Hungary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Marta Kurtag is a Hungarian classical pianist and music educator, born on April 17, 1927, in Budapest, Hungary. She is widely recognized for her contributions to the world of classical music, particularly in the field of contemporary music. Her career spans over six decades, during which she has performed extensively across Europe and the United States, and has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. Marta Kurtag was born into a family of musicians. Her father, Sandor Vigh, was a composer and music teacher, while her mother, Margit Vigh, was a pianist. Marta began playing the piano at a young age, and by the age of six, she was already performing in public. She went on to study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she received her diploma in piano performance in 1950. After completing her studies, Marta Kurtag began her career as a concert pianist, performing extensively across Europe. She quickly gained a reputation for her virtuosic playing and her ability to interpret contemporary music. In 1957, she married the composer Gyorgy Kurtag, with whom she would collaborate extensively throughout her career. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Marta Kurtag continued to perform and teach, becoming a highly respected figure in the world of contemporary music. She was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Gyorgy Ligeti, a fellow Hungarian composer. In 1978, she was appointed as a professor of piano at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, where she would teach for over two decades. In addition to her work as a performer and educator, Marta Kurtag was also a prolific composer. She wrote numerous works for piano, as well as chamber music and vocal pieces. Her compositions were often characterized by their spare, minimalist style, and their use of unconventional techniques and sounds. Throughout her career, Marta Kurtag received numerous awards and accolades for her work. In 1986, she was awarded the Kossuth Prize, Hungary's highest honor for artists and intellectuals. She was also awarded the Bartok-Pasztory Prize in 1993, and the Hungarian Order of Merit in 2007. Despite her many achievements, Marta Kurtag remained humble and dedicated to her craft throughout her life. She continued to perform and teach well into her 80s, and remained an active member of the classical music community until her death on October 17, 2018, at the age of 91. In conclusion, Marta Kurtag was a highly respected and influential figure in the world of classical music. Her virtuosic playing, innovative compositions, and dedication to teaching and promoting contemporary music have left a lasting impact on the field. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

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