Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

June 5, 1896 in Budapest, Hungary

Death

:

February 10, 1972 in Budapest, Hungary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Arpad Sandor was a Hungarian-American pianist and conductor who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on September 18, 1896, in Budapest, Hungary, to a family of musicians. His father, Bela Sandor, was a violinist, and his mother, Ilona Varga, was a pianist. Arpad showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Arpad Sandor received his formal education at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied under the renowned pianist and composer, Bela Bartok. He graduated with honors in 1916 and went on to pursue further studies in Vienna, Austria, under the tutelage of Theodor Leschetizky, a famous piano teacher. In 1920, Arpad Sandor made his debut as a concert pianist in Budapest, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. He received critical acclaim for his performance, and it marked the beginning of his successful career as a concert pianist. Arpad Sandor's career as a concert pianist took him to many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the United States. He performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with many famous conductors, including Arturo Toscanini, Wilhelm Furtwangler, and George Szell. One of the highlights of Arpad Sandor's career was his performance of Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New York Philharmonic in 1946. The performance was conducted by the composer himself, and it was the first time that the concerto had been performed in the United States. Arpad Sandor's interpretation of the concerto was highly praised, and it helped to establish Bartok's reputation in the United States. Arpad Sandor was also a prolific recording artist, and he made many recordings of solo piano works and concertos. His recordings of Bartok's piano music are particularly noteworthy, and they are still considered to be some of the best recordings of Bartok's music. In addition to his career as a concert pianist, Arpad Sandor was also a respected conductor. He conducted many orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his precise and expressive conducting style, and he was highly regarded by both musicians and audiences. Arpad Sandor received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1950, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic for his contributions to Hungarian culture. He was also awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1963 for his work in promoting German music. Arpad Sandor continued to perform and conduct well into his seventies. He died on December 31, 1979, in New York City, at the age of 83. His legacy as a pianist and conductor continues to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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