Famed pianist visits IU to conduct masterclasses

Since her emergence onto the American classical music scene half a century ago, Madame Alicia de Larrocha has become a giant in the world of piano performance. The artist will hold a series of masterclasses in Auer Hall this week.\nHailed by New York critic Jay Nordlinger as "one of the most persistent, indefatigable, and, indeed, peripatetic of performers" of recent times, de Larrocha is making her appearance at the Summer Music Festival at the invitation of IU piano faculty member Edmund Battersby. Battersby first met de Larrocha about 30 years ago while he was a student at the Juilliard School.\n"To me, she's one of the great forces of piano playing of the century," Battersby said. "What I find remarkable about her is that she's retained a simplicity and humility toward art despite an extraordinary career, which is rare."\nBorn in Barcelona, Spain, in 1923, de Larrocha made her first public appearance at the age of 6. She gave her first American performance 24 years later in Los Angeles and returned in 1965 for a performance with the New York Philharmonic that established her as one of the world's leading classical artists. She has since performed regularly with some of the world's greatest orchestras, as well as at many prestigious music festivals. \nDe Larrocha is renowned for her interpretations of the works of Spanish composers such as Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granadas and Alberto Ginastera. As one of the most recorded pianists in her field, she has recorded the complete Mozart piano sonatas as well numerous solo and chamber works on the Decca and, currently, RCA labels. De Larrocha's performances and recordings have won her many honors, including the Paderewski Prize, Franz Liszt Prize in Budapest and four Grammy Awards.\nBattersby said the School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards encouraged him to extend an invitation to de Larrocha.\n"I told (Richards) I would be in New York for her final concert, and he said 'Why don't you ask her to come?'" Battersby said. "And she was happy to do so."\nA masterclass is a seminar for advanced music students conducted by a master musician. De Larrocha's masterclass series will consist of eight, pre-auditioned participants, with repertoire ranging from Mozart to Ravel. Most of the works will be by the same Spanish composers de Larrocha has championed her entire career.\n"I am looking forward to (the classes) because I respect (de Larrocha)," senior piano student Travis Juergens said. "I think her masterclasses will be especially helpful because I have found that we, as musicians, have often forgotten that music is a language."\nDe Larrocha will conduct masterclasses from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. A daily auditor pass is available for those wishing to attend the masterclasses for $10. For further information, contact the School of Music's Office of Special Programs at 855-1814 or musicsp@indiana.edu. \n-- Contact staff writer Eric Anderson at eraander@indiana.edu .