Anda, Géza

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Anda, Géza

Anda, Géza, eminent Hungarian-born Swiss pianist, conductor, and pedagogue; b. Budapest, Nov. 19, 1921; d. Zürich, June 13, 1976. He studied with Dohná-nyi at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. In 1938 he made his debut in Budapest. After receiving the Liszt Prize in 1940, he attracted notice as a soloist with Furtwängler and the Berlin Phil, in 1941. In 1942 he settled in Zürich, and in 1955 became a naturalized Swiss citizen. Following the close of World War II in 1945, he pursued a notable career as a soloist with the world’s leading orchs. and as a recitalist. In later years, he took up conducting and became active as a pedagogue. Anda was one of the finest interpreters of Mozart, appearing on occasion as both soloist and conductor in Mozart’s piano concertos. He also was esteemed for his performances of Beethoven, Liszt, Brahms, and Bartók.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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