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Renowned pianist de Larrocha dies Renowned pianist de Larrocha dies
(about 17 hours later)
Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha, a child prodigy who went on to become one of the greatest musicians of her era, has died aged 86.Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha, a child prodigy who went on to become one of the greatest musicians of her era, has died aged 86.
The petite pianist, who measured just under five foot (1.52m), won praise for her technique and judgement of tempo.The petite pianist, who measured just under five foot (1.52m), won praise for her technique and judgement of tempo.
As well as her performances of Mozart and Rachmaninov, she was regarded as unrivalled in her interpretation of Spanish composers like Isaac Albeniz.As well as her performances of Mozart and Rachmaninov, she was regarded as unrivalled in her interpretation of Spanish composers like Isaac Albeniz.
De Larrocha retired six years ago, after 75 years of public performances.De Larrocha retired six years ago, after 75 years of public performances.
"She was an extraordinary ambassador for Spain," Culture Minister Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde said in a news release following the announcement of her death.
The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra was due to hold a minute's silence before this weekend's performances in honour of the pianist.
Child prodigyChild prodigy
Born in Barcelona in 1923, the musician began playing at the age of two. Born in Barcelona in 1923, de Larrocha began playing at the age of two.
She gave her first recital aged six, and made her orchestral debut when she was 11, performing as a soloist for the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.She gave her first recital aged six, and made her orchestral debut when she was 11, performing as a soloist for the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
Although famed as a champion of Spanish music, her teacher Frank Marshall forbade her to play it before she was 15.Although famed as a champion of Spanish music, her teacher Frank Marshall forbade her to play it before she was 15.
"It was Bach and Mozart that I played," she later recalled. "This is a necessary base for a pianist. You cannot play Spanish music without it."It was Bach and Mozart that I played," she later recalled. "This is a necessary base for a pianist. You cannot play Spanish music without it.
"Spanish music is very, very, very hard. Young people come to me and think they can play it right away. But Spanish music must have the right rhythm, just as Bach and Mozart must have the right rhythm."Spanish music is very, very, very hard. Young people come to me and think they can play it right away. But Spanish music must have the right rhythm, just as Bach and Mozart must have the right rhythm.
"If you cannot play Bach and Mozart well, you cannot play Spanish music well.""If you cannot play Bach and Mozart well, you cannot play Spanish music well."
Her teenage years were overshadowed by the Spanish civil war. Her family remained in Barcelona, but food was scarce, and de Larrocha later described how her father had to travel to the "mountains to get greens to eat".Her teenage years were overshadowed by the Spanish civil war. Her family remained in Barcelona, but food was scarce, and de Larrocha later described how her father had to travel to the "mountains to get greens to eat".
She resumed giving recitals in Spain once the war ended, displaying a style and skill that transcended her age, but was she prevented from travelling to Europe by the outbreak World War II.She resumed giving recitals in Spain once the war ended, displaying a style and skill that transcended her age, but was she prevented from travelling to Europe by the outbreak World War II.
It was 1947 before she would play outside of her home country, and she made her British debut in 1953.It was 1947 before she would play outside of her home country, and she made her British debut in 1953.
Two years later came her first trip to the United States at the invitation of famed conductor Alfred Wallestein, and a tour with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.Two years later came her first trip to the United States at the invitation of famed conductor Alfred Wallestein, and a tour with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
After this breakthrough, she gained recognition as one of the world's most outstanding pianists.After this breakthrough, she gained recognition as one of the world's most outstanding pianists.
'No peers''No peers'
In 1959 she became director of Barcelona's Academia Marshall, where she had studied and tutored as a youngster.In 1959 she became director of Barcelona's Academia Marshall, where she had studied and tutored as a youngster.
By this time, her affinity with Spanish music was becoming more widely recognised, and her performances of Albeniz's Iberia and Granados's Goyescas won particular praise.By this time, her affinity with Spanish music was becoming more widely recognised, and her performances of Albeniz's Iberia and Granados's Goyescas won particular praise.
She recorded Iberia four times, and gave premieres of several Spanish works, including book four of Mompou's Musica Callada and Montsalvatge's Concierto Breve, which is dedicated to her.She recorded Iberia four times, and gave premieres of several Spanish works, including book four of Mompou's Musica Callada and Montsalvatge's Concierto Breve, which is dedicated to her.
"The fact is that in this repertoire, Larrocha really has no peer, and any of her versions are nearly always going to be first choice," wrote Jonathan Summers in his A-Z of Pianists."The fact is that in this repertoire, Larrocha really has no peer, and any of her versions are nearly always going to be first choice," wrote Jonathan Summers in his A-Z of Pianists.
Over the years, de Larrocha was awarded numerous prizes, including the Prince of Asturias Prize in 1994, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris in 1988 and the Paderewski Memorial Medal.Over the years, de Larrocha was awarded numerous prizes, including the Prince of Asturias Prize in 1994, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris in 1988 and the Paderewski Memorial Medal.
Her recordings earned her four Grammies and numerous other prizes.Her recordings earned her four Grammies and numerous other prizes.
In 1995, she complained to the New York Times that age was affecting her handspan - and thus her ability to play.In 1995, she complained to the New York Times that age was affecting her handspan - and thus her ability to play.
"I used to reach a 10th," she said, referring to the keyboard's gap from middle C to E in the octave above. "Now, a ninth, with some difficulty.""I used to reach a 10th," she said, referring to the keyboard's gap from middle C to E in the octave above. "Now, a ninth, with some difficulty."
De Larrocha said this deficit could be heard across her various recordings of Grandos' Goyescas. "The first and second record, you can hear the 10th," she said. "The third, no, because my hand is shrinking."De Larrocha said this deficit could be heard across her various recordings of Grandos' Goyescas. "The first and second record, you can hear the 10th," she said. "The third, no, because my hand is shrinking."
The pianist eventually retired in 2003, after some 4,000 concerts, at the age of 80.The pianist eventually retired in 2003, after some 4,000 concerts, at the age of 80.
Family friend Gregor Benko confirmed her death to the Associated Press news agency. He said de Larrocha had been in poor health for two years, since breaking her hip.Family friend Gregor Benko confirmed her death to the Associated Press news agency. He said de Larrocha had been in poor health for two years, since breaking her hip.
A spokesman for the Quiron hospital, where she was admitted some days ago, said she had died from cardiorespiratory failure shortly after 2300 (2200 BST) on Friday.A spokesman for the Quiron hospital, where she was admitted some days ago, said she had died from cardiorespiratory failure shortly after 2300 (2200 BST) on Friday.
Married to the late pianist, Juan Torra, she leaves behind a son and a daughter.Married to the late pianist, Juan Torra, she leaves behind a son and a daughter.