Claudio Arrau

Claudio Arrau (February 6, 1903–June 9, 1991) was a Chilean-American pianist, of world fame for his interpretations of a huge repertory spanning from the baroque to 20th-century composers. He is considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
February 6 - 1903 - June 9 - 1991 - Chile - American - Pianist - Baroque - 20th-century

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Arrau was born in Chillán, the son of eye doctor Carlos Arrau and Lucrecia León. He belonged to one of the oldest and most important families of Southern Chile, his ancestor Lorenzo de Arrau was sent to Chile by King Carlos III of Spain.

Related Topics:
Chillán - Lorenzo de Arrau - Carlos III

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He was a child prodigy, giving his first concert at age 5. At age 7 he was sent on a Chilean government grant to study in Germany, where he was a pupil of Martin Krause, who had studied under Franz Liszt.

Related Topics:
Child prodigy - Germany - Martin Krause - Franz Liszt

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Arrau was the teacher of Karlrobert Kreiten, among others.

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He recorded the complete piano music of Robert Schumann, and edited his works for publication. He is also famous for his recordings of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Liszt, and Debussy, among others. He played with style and passion, although often with a seemingly "untidy" technique; he was more musician than technician. He is said to have had a warm persona, and his music is consistent with this description. In particular his rich, weighty tone, which has been likened to vintage Burgundy wine, lends his interpretations a distinctive voice. Although he often plays with slower and more deliberate tempi since his middle age, Arrau has a reputation for being a virtuoso early in his career.

Related Topics:
Robert Schumann - Beethoven - Mozart - Brahms - Liszt - Debussy - Burgundy wine - Virtuoso

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In February 1979, Arrau became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Related Topics:
1979 - Naturalized citizen - United States

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At the time of his death in Mürzzuschlag, Austria, he was working on a CD recording of the complete works of Bach for keyboard.

Related Topics:
Mürzzuschlag - Austria - Bach - Keyboard

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In 1937 he married German Jewish mezzosoprano Ruth Schneider, and they had three children: Carmen (1938), Mario (1940-1988) and Christopher (1959).

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An interesting information is that through his great-grandmother, Mercedes Daroch, he was a descendant of the Campbells of Glenorchy (Scottish aristocracy), and thus of the Royal House of Bruce and of Charlemagne, so he was related distantly to all the sovereign dynasties that have once reigned over Europe.

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