Italian Pianist Maurizio Pollini Dies at 82
Famous Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini died at age 82 last Saturday. Due to heart problems, Pollini began to cancel many of his recitals after 2022.
Born in Milan on January 5, 1942, Pollini came from a musical and artistic background. His father was a violinist and renowned architect while his mother sang and played the piano. At only 9 years old, Polloni began performing recitals, and by age 14, he played Chopin’s Études winning multiple competitions. Then in 1960, he became the first Westerner to win the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw at only 18 years old.
Performing classics such as Beethoven, Schumann, and Stockhausen, Pollini rose to fame by performing internationally. In 2007, he won a Grammy Award for “best instrumental soloist performance without Orchestra” for his recording of Chopin’s Nocturnes.
Considered by many as one of the best Italian pianists in history, Pollini delivered a total of 168 performances at La Scala theatre, one of Milan’s most prestigious opera houses. After Pollini’s passing, the La Scala announced, “The theatre mourns the loss of Maurizio Pollini, one of the great musicians of our time and a fundamental reference in the theatre’s artistic life for over 50 years.”
In homage of the legendary pianist, the theatre displayed his burial chamber yesterday. The pianist is survived by his wife and son Daniele, both of whom play the piano.
Sources: Great Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini dies – Arts Culture and Style – Ansa.it
Addio a Maurizio Pollini, il più grande pianista italiano | Vanity Fair Italia
Seregno, addio a Maurizio Pollini, primo vincitore del concorso “Pozzoli” (ilcittadinomb.it)
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