Alicia de Larrocha

MADRID (AP) Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha who thrilled music listeners for decades with polished and enthralling interpretations of great classical works, has died aged 86.

Music producer and family friend Gregor Benko says de Larrocha died late Friday in a hospital in her native Barcelona.

Measuring just under 5 feet tall, and with unusually small hands for a piano virtuoso, de Larrocha won listeners over with the richness and robustness of her sound. Critically acclaimed for her polished technique in performing Mozart, Beethoven, Schuman and Rachmaninov, de Larrocha was also unrivaled in her interpretation of Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados and Isaac Albeniz.

De Larrocha retired from public performances in 2003, after 75 years as a pianist.

- From the Associated Press
(online at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jj4yj37U9DWYfLMh8iNpt2MokknAD9AUT0880)

Read the New York Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/arts/music/26larrocha.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss


Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unR6coI5rgI





Alicia de Larrocha plays Beethoven piano concerto no.1 with London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. This video is the rehearsal and discussion during the recording session, which Dudley Moore introduces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1oFrmt_UI




W.A.Mozart - Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat major, K.595 - III.Allegro Alicia de Larrocha, piano Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Nicholas Carthy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9IbJSMwjZQ