Firkušný, Rudolf

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Firkušný, Rudolf (b Napajedlá, Moravia, 1912; d Staatsburg, NY, 1994). Amer. pianist of Cz. birth. Début Prague 1920, London 1933, NY 1938. Worldwide tours. Settled in USA 1940 and became Amer. cit. Gave f.ps. of 3rd and 4th concs. of Martinů (1949, 1956) and of concs. by Menotti (1945) and Hanson (1948). Salzburg Fest. début 1957. Taught at Berkshire Mus. Center, Juilliard Sch. of Mus. Comp. pf. conc., str. qt., pf. pieces, and songs.