Radu Lupu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Radu Lupu
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Lupu in 2012
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| Born | 30 November 1945 |
| Died | 17 April 2022 (aged 76) |
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| Occupation | Pianist |
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| Awards |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres | Classical |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Labels | Decca |
Radu Lupu (born November 30, 1945 – died April 17, 2022) was a famous Romanian pianist. Many people thought he was one of the best pianists of his time.
He started playing the piano when he was six years old in Galați, Romania. He had great teachers, including Florica Musicescu and Heinrich Neuhaus. From 1966 to 1969, he won three major piano competitions. These wins helped him start a worldwide career. He played with many famous orchestras and at big music festivals around the globe.
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Who Was Radu Lupu?
Radu Lupu was a highly respected classical pianist. He was known for his thoughtful and beautiful playing style. He focused on music by composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Schubert, and Schumann.
He made many recordings for Decca Records and won several awards. These included a Grammy Award and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Early Life and Learning Music
Radu Lupu was born in Galați, Romania on November 30, 1945. His father, Meyer Lupu, was a lawyer, and his mother, Ana Gabor, was a linguist.
He got his first piano at age five and began lessons at six. When he was 12, he performed his own songs in public. He first thought he would become a famous composer. However, he later decided he was better as a pianist.
After high school, Lupu studied piano at the Bucharest Conservatory. In 1961, at age 16, he won a scholarship. This allowed him to study for seven years at the Moscow Conservatory. He learned from important teachers like Heinrich Neuhaus. Even with great teachers, Lupu felt he learned a lot on his own.
Winning Big Competitions
In 1966, Lupu won first prize at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This was a very important win. He also won special awards for playing certain pieces. A judge called him a "genius."
After this, he played at Carnegie Hall in New York City. But he chose to go back to Moscow to keep studying. A year later, in 1967, he won the George Enescu International Piano Competition.
In 1969, he won the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition. After this, he gave his first solo concert in London. Critics praised his playing, saying his music felt like "speech."
Amazing Performances and Awards
From 1970 to 1993, Lupu recorded over 20 albums for Decca Records. His solo recordings included works by famous composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart. He also recorded chamber music with other musicians.
In 1970, he played at The Proms, a big music festival. He performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He also made his first concerto recording for Decca.
Lupu performed with major orchestras in the United States. He played with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Critics sometimes had different opinions, but many praised his unique style.
In 1974, a critic from The New York Times called Lupu "no ordinary pianist." They said he had a "mysterious something" that went beyond just playing notes. By 1981, he had played with almost every major orchestra.
In 1989, Lupu won the "Abbiati" prize. In 1995, he won an Edison Award for his album of Schumann's works. He also won a Grammy Award in 1996 for his Schubert piano sonatas. In 2006, he received the Premio Internazionale Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. In 2016, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to music.
His Unique Way of Playing
Radu Lupu was known for sitting on a regular, straight-backed chair instead of a piano bench. He said this helped him avoid stiffness and pain. He believed that the sound of music came from the mind, not just the fingers. He would imagine the sound he wanted to make before playing it.
Many other famous musicians admired Lupu's playing. Pianists like Mitsuko Uchida and András Schiff praised his ability to create different colors of sound. They also noted his amazing control and musical intelligence. Conductors and cellists also found his playing inspiring.
What Music Did He Play?
Lupu recorded many pieces by his favorite composers. His solo recordings included:
- Beethoven's piano sonatas and other solo works.
- Brahms' piano sonatas and other pieces.
- Schubert's nine piano sonatas and Impromptus.
- Schumann's Humoreske, Kinderszenen, and Kreisleriana.
He also recorded piano concertos with orchestras. These included all of Beethoven's piano concertos and concertos by Brahms, Grieg, and Schumann. He also played chamber music, which is music for a small group of instruments.
His Life Outside Music
Radu Lupu was married to Elizabeth Wilson and later to Delia Bugarin. He lived in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He was known for not giving many interviews to the press. He worried about being misunderstood. Because of this, some people called him "the reclusive Radu Lupu." He also usually did not allow his performances to be broadcast on the radio.
Radu Lupu passed away in Lausanne, Switzerland, on April 17, 2022, at the age of 76, after a long illness.
Images for kids
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The Moscow Conservatory, where Lupu studied from 1961 to 1969
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See also
In Spanish: Radu Lupu para niños
