28 Facts About Murray Perahia

Murray David Perahia is an American pianist and conductor.

Murray Perahia has been considered one of the greatest living pianists.

Murray Perahia was the first North American pianist to win the Leeds International Piano Competition, in 1972.

Murray Perahia was born in the Bronx borough of New York City to a family of Sephardi Jewish origin.

Murray Perahia's father moved to the United States in 1935.

Murray Perahia began studying the piano at age four, with a teacher, he said, who was "very limiting" because she made him play a single piece until it was perfect.

Murray Perahia said his musical interests blossomed at age 15 for reasons he can't explain, and he began to practice seriously.

Murray Perahia played duets for piano four hands with Serkin, who later made Perahia his assistant at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, a position he held for over a year.

In 1965, Murray Perahia won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

In 1973, Murray Perahia worked with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears at the Aldeburgh Festival, and with fellow pianist Radu Lupu.

Murray Perahia was co-artistic director of the Festival from 1981 to 1989.

Murray Perahia says this had a defining influence on his pianism.

Murray Perahia became close to Horowitz, whom he visited during the elder pianist's last four years to play for him.

From 1973 to 2010, Murray Perahia recorded exclusively for Columbia Masterworks, now Sony Classical.

In 1990, Murray Perahia suffered a cut to his right thumb, which became septic.

Murray Perahia took antibiotics for this condition, but they affected his health.

Murray Perahia cancelled several appearances at the Barbican Centre, as well as a ten-city national tour of the United States but returned with recitals in German cities in 2006 and at the Barbican in April 2007.

Murray Perahia returned to the platform in August 2008, touring with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the direction of Bernard Haitink, and had an Asian recital tour in October and November.

Murray Perahia has recorded Chopin's etudes, and Schubert's late piano sonatas.

Murray Perahia is currently editing a new Urtext edition of Beethoven's piano sonatas.

Besides his solo career, Murray Perahia is active in chamber music and appears regularly with the Guarneri and Budapest String Quartets.

Murray Perahia is Principal Guest Conductor of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, with which he records and performs.

In January 2009, Murray Perahia was appointed president of the Jerusalem Music Center established by violinist Isaac Stern.

Murray Perahia appeared at Sir Neville Marriner's 90th birthday concert on April 1,2014, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No 20 with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Marriner.

Murray Perahia was invited to teach at the International Piano Foundation Theo Lieven to selected students.

Murray Perahia has given masterclasses at such institutions as Juilliard School, Stanford University, and Peabody Institute, among many others.

Murray Perahia continues to give frequent masterclasses as president of the JMC.

Murray Perahia is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Music and Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music.