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Claudio Arrau (February 6, 1903 - June 9, 1991) was a Chilean-American pianist, of world fame because of his interpretations of a huge repertory spanning from the baroque to 20th century composers. He is regularly considered one of the finest pianists of the 20th Century despite his many recordings which contain seemingly deficient technique, slow tempi and a lack of colouristic changes.
Arrau was born in Chillan, the son of a pianist and an eye doctor. He was a child prodigy, giving his first concert at age 5. At age 7 he was sent on a Chilean government grant to study in Germany, where he was a pupil of Martin Krause, who had studied under Franz Liszt.
Arrau was the teacher of Karlrobert Kreiten among others.
He recorded the complete piano music of Robert Schumann, and edited his works for publication.
At the time of his death in Mürzzuschlag, Austria, he was working on a CD recording of the complete works of Bach for keyboard.
Although married, he was homosexual (like Vladimir Horowitz).
Quote
- An interpreter must give his blood to the work interpreted. — Claudio Arrau
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