Clara Haskil facts for kids
Clara Haskil (born January 7, 1895 – died December 7, 1960) was a famous Romanian classical pianist. She was known for playing music from the classical and early romantic periods. Many people especially loved her performances and recordings of Mozart's music. She also played pieces by Beethoven, Schumann, and Scarlatti very well.
Contents
About Clara Haskil's Life
Clara Haskil was born in Bucharest, Romania, into a Jewish family. Her father passed away when she was only four years old. Clara started her music studies in Vienna with Richard Robert. Later, she briefly studied with Ferruccio Busoni. She then moved to France and learned from Joseph Morpain, who she said was one of her biggest influences.
Early Studies and Challenges
At age 15, Clara graduated from the Conservatoire de Paris with a top prize. After graduating, she started touring Europe. However, her career faced challenges due to health issues. In 1913, she had to wear a plaster cast because of scoliosis, a curve in the spine. She also suffered from frequent illnesses and developed severe stage fright in 1920. These difficulties made it hard for her to gain fame or earn much money for a long time.
Later Success and Recognition
After World War II, Clara Haskil finally started to become widely recognized. This happened during a series of concerts in the Netherlands in 1949. In 1942, she moved to Vevey in Switzerland. Not long after, the French government honored her by making her a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur, a special award.
Clara's Unique Piano Style
Clara Haskil's piano playing was known for its clear sound and beautiful way of shaping musical phrases. Some people thought this came from her skill as a violinist. Her style was also very clear and full of sensitive inspiration.
Playing with Other Musicians
Clara was highly respected as a chamber musician, meaning she played with small groups of musicians. She worked with many famous artists like Pablo Casals, Dinu Lipatti, Isaac Stern, and Arthur Grumiaux. She played her very last concert with Arthur Grumiaux, who was mainly a violinist but also a good pianist. Sometimes, they would even switch instruments!
Performing with Orchestras
Clara Haskil also performed as a soloist with many famous conductors and orchestras. Some of the well-known conductors she played with include Karajan, Klemperer, Szell, and Solti.
Famous Recordings
One of her most famous recordings is of Mozart's Piano Concertos No. 20 and No. 24. She made this recording in November 1960 with the Orchestre Lamoureux and conductor Igor Markevitch. People love this recording for its beautiful and strong playing.
Clara Haskil's Legacy
Clara Haskil sadly passed away at age 65. She died from injuries after falling on a staircase at the Brussels-South railway station. She was supposed to play a concert with Arthur Grumiaux the next day.
Tributes to a Genius
Charlie Chaplin, the famous actor and filmmaker, was a good friend of Clara Haskil. He once said, "In my lifetime I have met three geniuses; Professor Einstein, Winston Churchill, and Clara Haskil." He admired her playing, calling her touch "exquisite" and her technique "extraordinary." Even Pope Francis mentioned Clara Haskil as one of his favorite musicians, especially when she played Mozart.
In August 2017, a 70-minute documentary called Clara Haskil, le mystère de l'interprète (Clara Haskil, the mystery of the interpreter) was released about her life.
The Clara Haskil Competition
To honor Clara Haskil's memory, the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition is held every two years. It takes place in Vevey, Switzerland, where Clara lived for many years. This competition welcomes young pianists from all over the world. They aim to play with the same musical spirit and excellence that Clara Haskil showed. A street in Vevey is also named after her.
See also
In Spanish: Clara Haskil para niños
