Magda Tagliaferro facts for kids

Magda Tagliaferro (born Magdalena Maria Yvonne Tagliaferro, January 19, 1893 – September 9, 1986) was a famous Brazilian pianist. She was born in Brazil, but her parents were French. Magda was known for her amazing piano playing and for teaching many students.

Magda's Early Life and Music Training

Magda Tagliaferro was born in a city called Petrópolis, in Brazil. Her father was a music teacher. He taught voice and piano at the São Paulo Conservatory. He had even studied piano in Paris! Magda's father was her very first piano teacher.

When Magda was only eleven years old, a famous cellist named Pablo Casals heard her play in São Paulo. He was so impressed that he told her she should go study music in Paris. So, Magda and her parents moved to Paris, France.

Studying at the Conservatoire de Paris

In Paris, Magda's father arranged for her to play for a well-known pianist, Raoul Pugno. Pugno was also very impressed with Magda's talent. He suggested she study with Antonin Marmontel at the Conservatoire de Paris. This is a very famous music school.

Magda joined the Conservatoire in 1906. Just one year later, in 1907, she won the "Premier Prix." This was the highest award you could get for playing music there! After that, she studied with another great musician, Alfred Cortot. Magda and Cortot became lifelong friends. She became known for playing music with a perfect mix of clear sound, gentle feelings, inner strength, and a classic, balanced style.

A World-Renowned Performer

While Magda was still studying, the director of the Conservatoire, Gabriel Fauré, invited her to go on a short music tour with him. Later, she performed many of Fauré's own musical pieces.

Magda's career as a concert pianist took her all over the world. She performed in more than 30 countries! These included places in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia. She was also a very active soloist. This means she played by herself with many leading orchestras. She performed with famous conductors like Wilhelm Furtwängler and Pierre Monteux.

Playing with Other Musicians

Magda also performed with other amazing solo artists. These included her friend Alfred Cortot, and also Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals. Many composers wanted Magda to be the first person to play their new music. She was happy to perform new works by composers like Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Magda as a Teacher

Besides being a fantastic performer, Magda Tagliaferro was also a very important teacher. She taught at the Paris Conservatoire from 1937 to 1939. One of her students there was a Polish pianist named Władysław Kędra. Magda invited him to study with her after she heard him play at a piano competition in Poland.

Magda also started her own music schools. She had schools in Paris, and later in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil. She gave many special masterclasses in different countries. She even created her own piano competition! Many of her students became famous pianists themselves, including Cristina Ortiz and Jorge Luis Prats.

Magda Tagliaferro continued to play beautifully even when she was in her nineties. She passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Selected Recordings

• “The Complete 78-rpm solo and concerto recordings”. This collection includes music by Fauré, Hahn, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Mozart, and Chopin. These recordings were made between 1928 and 1954. It is available on 3 CDs.

See also

In Spanish: Magda Tagliaferro para niños