Claudio Arrau - Piano Emperor
Child prodigy, piano virtuoso, globe trotter, music scholar and a masterful performer who often received endless curtain calls of standing ovation, Claudio Arrau was without a doubt one of the greatest pianists of the XX century.
With a successful career that spawned through eight decades and took him to five continents, Arrau performed in the most important venues of the musical world such as the Teatro alla Scala (Milan), the Royal Albert Hall (London), Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico), the Lincoln Center (New York), and many more.
Praised by critics and peers for the purity of his technique and the brilliance of his particular sound, Arrau was also a favourite of the public due to the character he infused to every piece he played, as well as for his modesty and humanity.
‘Aristocratic’, ‘Reflective’, ‘Philosophical’, ‘Olympian’, ‘Poetic’, ‘Elegant’ and ‘Romantic’ were some of the adjectives used to describe the music that emerged from his piano. In fact, Arrau was able to conjure all sorts of emotions through a masterful balance between technique and imagination.
Although his frame was small, even in old age, when he played he seemed to become possessed by music, performing long, complex repertoires with a stamina and passion that beat musicians half his age.
Arrau loved music above all things. As he expressed in a 1975 interview, when he was already 72 years old: "When I play I am almost in ecstasy, a creative ecstasy, which I wouldn’t miss for anything. This is what I live for."
Claudio Arrau was born in Chillán, central Chile, on February 6th 1893. The youngest son of Lucrecia and Carlos Arrau, his father died shortly after Claudio’s first year. His mother, then, decided to give piano lessons to sustain herself and her three children, keeping Claudio around in those sessions.
Video - Chopin: Nocturne 1, Opus 9, N 1 (5:51")
Arrau loved music above all things. As he expressed in a 1975 interview, when he was already 72 years old: "When I play I am almost in ecstasy, a creative ecstasy, which I wouldn’t miss for anything. This is what I live for."
Claudio Arrau was born in Chillán, central Chile, on February 6th 1893. The youngest son of Lucrecia and Carlos Arrau, his father died shortly after Claudio’s first year. His mother, then, decided to give piano lessons to sustain herself and her three children, keeping Claudio around in those sessions.
The constant exposure to notes and music awoke the genius in little Claudio, surprising his mother at age four by playing from memory a piece performed by one of her students, reading music notes before he could read actual words.
Lucrecia then took on his musical education, in which Claudio advanced prodigiously.
At age five, little Claudio performed in the recently inaugurated (while still under construction) Municipal Theatre in Chillán, playing pieces by Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin.
Lucrecia then took on his musical education, in which Claudio advanced prodigiously.
At age five, little Claudio performed in the recently inaugurated (while still under construction) Municipal Theatre in Chillán, playing pieces by Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin.
He had to wear small wooden extensions in order to reach the piano pedals, and his sister remained behind him throughout his performance, in case he would lose stability and fall. But he didn’t. Instead, his performance ended in rapturous ovation, and little Claudio was hailed as the Mozart of Chillán.
A determined, resourceful woman, in 1909 Lucrecia managed to secure an audition for Claudio with the President, Pedro Montt, at the Palacio de la Moneda, a private performance also attended by several ministers, diplomats and artists.
A determined, resourceful woman, in 1909 Lucrecia managed to secure an audition for Claudio with the President, Pedro Montt, at the Palacio de la Moneda, a private performance also attended by several ministers, diplomats and artists.
The president was so impressed that, after some successful negotiations, the Congress awarded Claudio a grant to further his musical education.
The grant, initially given to study locally, was later extended to study in Berlin, the musical capital of the world at that time. Claudio was then 7 years old.
Once in Germany, little Claudio was introduced by the established Chilean pianist Rosita Renard to a host of renown musicians, and he performed for different audiences, including the king of Saxony, Frederick Augustus III.
Once in Germany, little Claudio was introduced by the established Chilean pianist Rosita Renard to a host of renown musicians, and he performed for different audiences, including the king of Saxony, Frederick Augustus III.
In 1914 he gave his first formal recital in Berlin at the Künstlerhouse and begins a European tour.
After two years of trying unsuccessfully with several teachers, Claudio met Martin Krause, a disciple of Franz Liszt. The encounter was a dream come true for both master and student, with Claudio becoming Krause’s favourite pupil, and Krause becoming to Claudio the father he had never known.
With the onset of the First World War, Lucrecia was advised to leave Germany with his family, but she decided to stay for the sake of Claudio’s education.
After two years of trying unsuccessfully with several teachers, Claudio met Martin Krause, a disciple of Franz Liszt. The encounter was a dream come true for both master and student, with Claudio becoming Krause’s favourite pupil, and Krause becoming to Claudio the father he had never known.
With the onset of the First World War, Lucrecia was advised to leave Germany with his family, but she decided to stay for the sake of Claudio’s education.
Throughout the war years, Claudio continued touring and appearing in concerts for the king of Württenberg, the Bavarian Royal Family, the Queen of Romania, and other selected audience.
In 1918, Arrau graduated from the Julius Stern Conservatory, receiving an ‘Exceptional Honors Diploma in Piano’, an award created especially for him. However, that same year the great Spanish flu epidemic ended Krause’s life. Claudio, then 15, was devastated.
Martin Krause and Claudio Arrau.
In 1918, Arrau graduated from the Julius Stern Conservatory, receiving an ‘Exceptional Honors Diploma in Piano’, an award created especially for him. However, that same year the great Spanish flu epidemic ended Krause’s life. Claudio, then 15, was devastated.
However, he decided to continue working on his technique on his own. The effort paid off - a year later he won the prestigious ‘Liszt Prize’, which had not declared a first place in 45 years.
Next year he would repeat the feat.
In 1921, after making his London debut at the Royal Opera Covent Garden a year earlier, and touring in Germany and Austria, Arrau’s scholarship came to an end.
Next year he would repeat the feat.
In 1921, after making his London debut at the Royal Opera Covent Garden a year earlier, and touring in Germany and Austria, Arrau’s scholarship came to an end.
He returned to Chile for a professional concert tour, arising controversy for including modern pieces by Debussy and Albéniz along Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart in his programs.
In his native city of Chillán, he opened the ‘Claudio Arrau Music Academy’, and proceeded with an Argentinian tour.
In 1923, at the age of 20, Arrau made his debut in the United States.
In 1923, at the age of 20, Arrau made his debut in the United States.
In spite of his long-standing acclaim in Europe, he received a lukewarm reception in the only three concerts he could give (after been initially promised 30 performances), but critics noticed him.
Although this was a blow for his morale, in hindsight the maestro reflected that it was the best thing that could have happened to him, as he returned to Europe to work with renewed strength.
After such an inauspicious start, the United States became home to Arrau and his family for nearly 50 years, and it was one of the countries he most often and extensively toured.
Back in Germany, in 1924 Arrau was appointed to a Professorship in Piano with the Julius Stern Conservatory of Berlin - now the Berliner Musikschule-, succeeding his own teacher, Maestro Martin Krause. Along his teaching, Arrau continued touring extensively throughout Europe and the Americas.
In 1929, Arrau married the Latvian lyric soprano Erika Burkewitch, with whom he had one child, Klaudio.
After such an inauspicious start, the United States became home to Arrau and his family for nearly 50 years, and it was one of the countries he most often and extensively toured.
Photo: NYPL Archives
Back in Germany, in 1924 Arrau was appointed to a Professorship in Piano with the Julius Stern Conservatory of Berlin - now the Berliner Musikschule-, succeeding his own teacher, Maestro Martin Krause. Along his teaching, Arrau continued touring extensively throughout Europe and the Americas.
In 1929, Arrau married the Latvian lyric soprano Erika Burkewitch, with whom he had one child, Klaudio.
In addition to a tight schedule of concerts and tours, Arrau also often performed in popular radio broadcasts, the predecessor of ‘Live concerts’.
In 1935, during a Latin American tour, Arrau visited Mexico and, aside from his scheduled performances, he appeared in a José Bohr film, "Sueo de Amor" (Liebesträume), playing the lead role, Franz Liszt, and performing his pieces ‘Liebesträume’ and ‘La Chasse’.
In 1935, during a Latin American tour, Arrau visited Mexico and, aside from his scheduled performances, he appeared in a José Bohr film, "Sueo de Amor" (Liebesträume), playing the lead role, Franz Liszt, and performing his pieces ‘Liebesträume’ and ‘La Chasse’.
The film was well received by the critic of the time. The previous year, Arrau had made a cameo appearance in another José Bohr film, ‘Tu Hijo’ (Thy Son), as a pianist.
Also in 1935, Arrau consolidated his European reputation by performing by heart the complete Bach cycle (the entire keyboard works by J.S. Bach) over 12 recitals.
Claudio Arrau and director Jose Bohr, 1934.
Also in 1935, Arrau consolidated his European reputation by performing by heart the complete Bach cycle (the entire keyboard works by J.S. Bach) over 12 recitals.
Later in his career he would repeat the feat with massive Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin Cycles, in which he played their entire keyboard repertoire back to back.
But if his career was flourishing, at the personal level his marriage failed, and he divorced Erika Burkewitch.
In1937 Arrau married the mezzo-soprano Ruth Schneider, whom he had met in 1935 as his piano student, and would become his lifelong companion. They had a daughter, Carmen, a son, Mario, and in 1959 they adopted a second son, Christopher.
In spite of the increasing socio-political troubles stirring Europe at the time, Arrau continued teaching and touring ceaselessly. After all, he had already survived the Great War in Europe mostly unscathed.
But if his career was flourishing, at the personal level his marriage failed, and he divorced Erika Burkewitch.
In1937 Arrau married the mezzo-soprano Ruth Schneider, whom he had met in 1935 as his piano student, and would become his lifelong companion. They had a daughter, Carmen, a son, Mario, and in 1959 they adopted a second son, Christopher.
In spite of the increasing socio-political troubles stirring Europe at the time, Arrau continued teaching and touring ceaselessly. After all, he had already survived the Great War in Europe mostly unscathed.
In 1938, he established the ‘Claudio Arrau Trio’ with friends Hermann Hubl (violin) and Hans Münch-Holland (cello), but the quickly deteriorating situation in the country dissolved it, although they remained supportive of each other in those difficult times.
That same year, Arrau’s mother returned to Chile. Arrau visited his homeland for professional engagements, but went back to Germany and continued playing and touring worldwide.
That same year, Arrau’s mother returned to Chile. Arrau visited his homeland for professional engagements, but went back to Germany and continued playing and touring worldwide.
However, in 1939 the grim reality caught up with him. Following the assassination of two of his Jewish pupils, Arrau resigns his Professorship with the Stern Conservatory in protest.
Although he continued his professional engagements, the increasing harassment suffered by his wife and later himself (both under suspicions of having Jewish background and relations), became unbearable.
Although he continued his professional engagements, the increasing harassment suffered by his wife and later himself (both under suspicions of having Jewish background and relations), became unbearable.
During a South American tour in 1940, he sent a cable to cancel all his standing contracts in Germany and settled back in Chile.
Throughout this period, he and his sister (who worked at the Chilean Embassy in Berlin) had secretly risked their lives by helping many Jewish intellectuals, artists, musicians and students escape towards England or other destinations.
Video - Beethoven: ‘Mondschein’ Sonata, 1st Movement (6:49")
Throughout this period, he and his sister (who worked at the Chilean Embassy in Berlin) had secretly risked their lives by helping many Jewish intellectuals, artists, musicians and students escape towards England or other destinations.
Among hundreds of others, the Arraus helped the passage of psychiatrist Hubert Abrahamson, musicologist Rudi Lehmann and violinist Freddy (Alfredo) Wang.
In 1941 he moved to New York where he would live until 1947, when he moved to Long Island. During this time, he continued his tireless schedule of recitals, concerts and tours along with teaching.
In 1941 he moved to New York where he would live until 1947, when he moved to Long Island. During this time, he continued his tireless schedule of recitals, concerts and tours along with teaching.
In 1943 he founded the Claudio Arrau Academy in New York with his teaching partner Rafael de Silva, and continued touring the United States, Canada and South America.
After the end of World War II, Arrau continued teaching, playing and touring extensively.
Video - Ravel - Lex Jeux d’Eau a la Villa d’Este, 1954 Live Recording (5:21")
After the end of World War II, Arrau continued teaching, playing and touring extensively.
In 1947, during his first visit to Australia, Arrau received a baby kangaroo as a present. He named it ‘Cangurusa’ and brought it with him to Long Island, to meet his children before it was given a permanent home at the Bronx Zoo.
In 1954, Arrau contributed to the soundtrack of the MGM musical film ‘Rhapsody’ (starring Liz Taylor and Vittorio Gassman), playing excerpts from the works of Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Weber, Chopin and Schumann among other composers.
Also in this year, he returned to Germany for the first time since his self-imposed exile, and received a 12-curtain call ovation during his Berlin recital. In 1958, however, he received a 28-curtain call ovation at the end of his recital in Czechoslovakia.
Arrau was a cultivated intellectual who spoke and read several languages, collected primitive art, and appreciated all kinds of music, being able to comment on ancient musical instruments, Jazz or pop music with equal interest and depth of knowledge.
In 1954, Arrau contributed to the soundtrack of the MGM musical film ‘Rhapsody’ (starring Liz Taylor and Vittorio Gassman), playing excerpts from the works of Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Weber, Chopin and Schumann among other composers.
Also in this year, he returned to Germany for the first time since his self-imposed exile, and received a 12-curtain call ovation during his Berlin recital. In 1958, however, he received a 28-curtain call ovation at the end of his recital in Czechoslovakia.
Arrau was a cultivated intellectual who spoke and read several languages, collected primitive art, and appreciated all kinds of music, being able to comment on ancient musical instruments, Jazz or pop music with equal interest and depth of knowledge.
Among the contemporary composers he expressed interest in playing were Schönberg, Aaron Copland, Benjamin Britten, Pierre Boulez and Heitor Villalobos.
Although he was famed for being an authoritative performer of Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin, Arrau’s repertoire was extensive and included not only the classical composers (J.S. Bach, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schumann, etc.), but also contemporary composers (Debussy, Ravel, Albeniz, Balakirev, etc.), as well as lesser known composers such as Ferrucio Bussoni, Friedrich Gernsheim and Adolf von Henselt, among many others.
This ample knowledge made him an authority in music, helping to supervise the Peters Urtext edition of Beethoven Piano Sonatas, (an extremely precise musical edition intended to reproduce written music as true as possible to the intention of the composer, without any additions or changes) published in 1978.
Arrau also recorded extensively throughout his career, sometimes refining and reworking the same pieces several times throughout his life, earning many record awards and amassing thus a lengthy discography prized by music lovers, critics and record collectors.
Aside from being an exceptional performer, Arrau was a consummate professional.
Video - Interview In English, with Spanish Subtitles (6:05")
(With Commentary by Daniel Barenboim and Gennadi Rozhdestvensky)
Although he was famed for being an authoritative performer of Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin, Arrau’s repertoire was extensive and included not only the classical composers (J.S. Bach, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schumann, etc.), but also contemporary composers (Debussy, Ravel, Albeniz, Balakirev, etc.), as well as lesser known composers such as Ferrucio Bussoni, Friedrich Gernsheim and Adolf von Henselt, among many others.
This ample knowledge made him an authority in music, helping to supervise the Peters Urtext edition of Beethoven Piano Sonatas, (an extremely precise musical edition intended to reproduce written music as true as possible to the intention of the composer, without any additions or changes) published in 1978.
Arrau also recorded extensively throughout his career, sometimes refining and reworking the same pieces several times throughout his life, earning many record awards and amassing thus a lengthy discography prized by music lovers, critics and record collectors.
Aside from being an exceptional performer, Arrau was a consummate professional.
Although his schedule of performances reduced its pace over the years, from 1943 to 1963 he averaged 120 concerts per season across continents, at a time when travelling was mostly done by sea or train. In spite of this, his respect for the public and music was so great that he seldom cancelled performances.
But his strong sense of morality and humanity also weighed heavily on his artistic decisions.
But his strong sense of morality and humanity also weighed heavily on his artistic decisions.
For instance, in 1967 Arrau refused to play again in Chile in protest against the new president, Salvador Allende, and continued the protest throughout the following regime of Augusto Pinochet. However, he returned to perform in Chile in 1984, and donated his earnings from the concert to a scholarship fund for Latin American musicians.
Then, in 1977, he played a benefit concert that raised $190,000 for Amnesty International.
In 1983, at the end of his concert at the Avery Fischer Hall in the Lincon Center (scheduled on the day of his 80th birthday), the famed tenor Placido Domingo and the entire audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the maestro. He received the honor with typical grace and humility.
Video - Debussy: Clair de Lune (6:53")
In 1983, at the end of his concert at the Avery Fischer Hall in the Lincon Center (scheduled on the day of his 80th birthday), the famed tenor Placido Domingo and the entire audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the maestro. He received the honor with typical grace and humility.
That same year, the Chilean government bestowed him the ‘National Music Award’, the highest honor awarded to musicians in his native Chile, which he accepted with his natural modesty.
Despite his age, the maestro continued teaching and performing with apparent endless energy. In 1990, after the passing of his wife a year earlier, he left his home in New York, and moved back to Germany (Munich), which remained his permanent residence up until his death in 1991, at the age of 88.
Despite his age, the maestro continued teaching and performing with apparent endless energy. In 1990, after the passing of his wife a year earlier, he left his home in New York, and moved back to Germany (Munich), which remained his permanent residence up until his death in 1991, at the age of 88.
At the time, Arrau was in Austria, preparing for a Farewell Tour that would start in the town of Mürzzuschlag, take him around the world and end in his native Chillán. But destiny had other plans.
Claudio Arrau was laid to rest in his native Chillán.
In 1992, the Chilean government issued a series of two stamps to commemorate the great maestro, a honor that was repeated in 2003, on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
In his career as a performer, Claudio Arrau received nearly 250 awards and distinctions, some of them the highest cultural accolades in each nation, such as the Légion d’Honneur of the French Government, Hijo Predilecto de México from the Mexican government, Premio Nacional de las Artes from the Chilean government, a Knighthood from the Order of Malta, and many more.
Arrau toured and performed in over 40 countries, some of them repeatedly.
Claudio Arrau was laid to rest in his native Chillán.
In 1992, the Chilean government issued a series of two stamps to commemorate the great maestro, a honor that was repeated in 2003, on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
In his career as a performer, Claudio Arrau received nearly 250 awards and distinctions, some of them the highest cultural accolades in each nation, such as the Légion d’Honneur of the French Government, Hijo Predilecto de México from the Mexican government, Premio Nacional de las Artes from the Chilean government, a Knighthood from the Order of Malta, and many more.
Photo: BBC Archives
Arrau toured and performed in over 40 countries, some of them repeatedly.
Among them were: Czechoslovakia, Finland, Switzerland, England, Germany, Austria, USA, Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, Chile, URSS, Latvia, Estonia, Spain, Bulgaria, Brazil, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, Portugal, Cuba, Peru, Holland, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Scotland, Australia, South Africa, France, Israel, India, Wales, Singapore, Ceylon, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Japan, Greece, South Korea and Sweden.
If you have the chance, listen to Arrau’s rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto (also known as "Emperor") - you won’t regret it.
Despite its rudimentary design, this webpage is the most authoritative source of information on the maestro, featuring a detailed chronology, rare photographs, collectibles and other data. (In English and Spanish).
Sources: ArrauHouse, New York Times, Princeton.edu, Wikipedia, Patachon.
If you have the chance, listen to Arrau’s rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto (also known as "Emperor") - you won’t regret it.
To Learn More:
* Excellent Mini Documentary (In Spanish):
Homenaje a Claudio Arrau (9:42")
* Official Claudio Arrau Website: www.arrauhouse.org
Despite its rudimentary design, this webpage is the most authoritative source of information on the maestro, featuring a detailed chronology, rare photographs, collectibles and other data. (In English and Spanish).
Sources: ArrauHouse, New York Times, Princeton.edu, Wikipedia, Patachon.
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