Death of one of the greatest pianists, 76

The surreal and sensitive Romanian pianist Radu Lupu died last night after a prolonged illness.

His death was announced by the Enescu Festival in his native country and confirmed by his agent.

Lupu retired three years ago. He was the rarest of artists, giving few appearances and making no more than two-dozen recordings in as many years. Each, however, was a unique object and occasion. His Schubert, especially, was transcendent and his Beethoven unfailingly profound. He was inimitable.

He blazed onto the world stage in the 1960s, winning the second Van Cliburn Competition, followed by the Leeds. Reticent from the outset, he gave few interviews, then none at all.

Radu was twice married, to the author Elizabeth Wilson and to the violinist Delia Lupu.