New entrant to the piano 90s elite

New entrant to the piano 90s elite

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norman lebrecht

February 28, 2015

The formidable Argentine pianist Pia Sebastiani turned 90 this week.

Catch this unmatched rendition of Ginastera’s first sonata.

pia sebastiani

Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    *Ginastera

  • Dr. Geoffrey E. McGillen says:

    I studied with Olimpia Ana “Pia” Sebastiani at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States, (1925-2015), beginning 1971 and remained as a student/friend/colleague. I own one of her first recordings of the Ginastera #1 (on Qualiton). She and Ginastera apparently met in the later 1930’s while both were in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ginastera, nine years her senior, was an aspiring composer. Pia would pen some notable works herself: Four Piano Preludes (1941-47), Cancion (or Lullaby, 1947), Sonatina for Two Violins(5 movements, 1948), Piano Concerto in F# Major (1942), and Coro, Fuga, and Finale (1943–symphonic suite). She became one of Ginastera’s finest interpreters, as you have provided for us to hear. Her recording of the Tres Danzas Argentinas and Malambo are also very fine. I toured Argentina with that work. The crowds loved it still, even in the 1980’s. She shared some great Ginastera stories. Through her, we students met Aaron Copland (1976) pianist Arthur Rubinstein(1976), Vladimir Horowitz, Alicia da Larrocha, et al. On September 17, 2017, Sunday, at 1500 hours, we are celebrating at Ball State University her life and career. Seven of us former students are performing her published compositions, Ginastera selections, and concert works that she shared with us. Thank you for recognizing her and posting this.

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