Tragic death of eminent pianist, 46

Tragic death of eminent pianist, 46

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norman lebrecht

September 18, 2019

Friends are reporting the death from cancer last night of the concert pianist Dina Ugorskaja.

Raised in Leningrad by the modernist pianist Anatol Ugorski and the musicologist Maja Elik (they met while rehearsing the Soviet premiere of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire), Dina had an intensive music education until the family fled Russia after anti-semitic threats in 1990. They settled with great difficulty in Germany.

Dina, 16 at the time, studied at Detmold and went on to teach there, eventually becoming professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. She had a lively concert career and made her home in Munich.

Dina is survived by her father, her husband and her daughter.

 

Comments

  • Pianofortissimo says:

    Very sad news, and really shocking since Dina Ugorskaja passed away so young.

    For those who are not acquainted with her work, she has left few but wonderful recordings, value them highly especially Beethoven’s last sonatas.

    RIP

  • Knackflow says:

    Wonderful Bach! RIP!

  • Laura says:

    Wonderful Brahms on the German MDG label as well. Great loss!

  • Sue Sonata Form says:

    Absolutely dreadful.

  • Rod Baleda says:

    Very sad news. RIP Dina.

  • Mark says:

    Dreadful – so young !
    Miss Ugorskaja’s recording of Handel suites is excellent.
    May her memory be a blessing !

  • Nick says:

    Awful news!! Poor Anatol and Dina’s family! Loss of mother and wife so early in life……a lifetime scar! RIP

  • Drew Turner says:

    So sad to read this . Such an amazing and gifted artist . I cherish her Bach recordings . RIP

  • Forte says:

    I just happened to look her up after seeing a CD of hers on presto classical. What a loss to the music world! Her playing was so passionate. This reminds me of the shocking death of mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at her prime, also from cancer. 🙁

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