Period

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Romantic

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Keyboard

 

Simon Barere was a Ukrainian-American classical pianist who was born on 1 October 1896 in Odessa, Ukraine. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist. Barere showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. He received his first piano lessons from his mother, who recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Barere's talent was soon recognized by others, and he began performing in public at the age of six. He made his debut as a soloist with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of nine, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. He continued to perform in public throughout his childhood and teenage years, and his reputation as a prodigy grew. In 1911, Barere moved to Moscow to study at the Moscow Conservatory. He studied with some of the most renowned pianists of the time, including Alexander Goldenweiser and Konstantin Igumnov. He graduated from the conservatory in 1916 with the highest honors, and he was awarded the Gold Medal for his outstanding performance. After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, Barere began his professional career as a concert pianist. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most brilliant pianists of his time, known for his virtuosity and technical skill. He performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and he was particularly popular in the United States, where he made his debut in 1921. Barere's performances were often described as electrifying, and he was known for his ability to play with incredible speed and precision. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Franz Liszt, and he was considered one of the greatest interpreters of Liszt's music. Barere's career was interrupted by World War II, and he was unable to perform in public for several years. However, he continued to practice and teach during this time, and he made a triumphant return to the stage in 1946. He performed extensively throughout the United States in the years that followed, and he continued to be regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time. Barere's career was tragically cut short when he died suddenly on 2 April 1951, at the age of 54. He was performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage. Despite the efforts of the medical team that was called to the scene, Barere was pronounced dead a short time later. Barere's legacy as a pianist has endured long after his death, and he is still regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. His recordings continue to be admired for their technical brilliance and musicality, and his performances are still studied by pianists around the world. Throughout his career, Barere received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1928, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor by the Soviet government for his outstanding contributions to music. He was also awarded the Order of Lenin in 1936. In the United States, Barere was awarded the National Institute of Arts and Letters Gold Medal in 1945, and he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2000, the Library of Congress designated his recording of Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" as a National Treasure. In conclusion, Simon Barere was a Ukrainian-American classical pianist who was renowned for his virtuosity and technical skill.

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