Bachauer, Gina
$20.00
Greek-Jewish classical pianist entertained Allied troops in WW II, Salt Lake City piano festival created in her memory in 1976
Description
Condition: Very good,
Description: “(1913-1976) Greek-Jewish classical pianist, toured extensively in the US & Europe. She gave her first recital in Athens 8, graduated from the Athens Conservatory in 1929. Her first concert with an orchestra was in 1932, when she was 19 and recorded for the HMV, RCA Victor and Mercury labels. She gave hundreds of concerts including 630 for the Allied troops in the Middle East during WW II and was also the piano teacher of Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark.
Bachauer was a close friend of Maurice Abravanel and often appeared with the Utah Symphony Orchestra. She died in 1976 of a heart attack at the Athens Festival on the day she was to appear as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington DC.
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition was established in 1976 in her honor, attracting young pianists from all over the world to Salt Lake City annually. In 1981 Greece honored Bachauer by issuing a stamp in her honor.
4 ½ x 5 ½ autograph sentiment (“With best wishes”) signed on pink autograph album page, adds year 1953.
Type: Signed album page
