Sutro, Rose Laura

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Sutro, Rose Laura

Sutro, Rose Laura, (b. Baltimore, Sept. 15, 1870; d. there, Jan. 11, 1957) and Ottilie (b. Baltimore, Jan. 4, 1872; d. there, Sept. 12, 1970), American duo–pianists. They were the daughters of Otto Sutro, an art patron and founder of the Baltimore Oratorio Soc. Both began piano lessons with their mother, and in 1889 were sent to Berlin to continue their studies. They made a spectacular debut in London on July 13, 1894; their first American appearance took place in Brooklyn on Nov. 13, 1894, followed by a tour of the U.S. Returning to Europe, they won fresh laurels, and were invited to play before Queen Victoria. Max Bruch wrote his Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orch. expressly for them, and they gave its premiere with the Philadelphia Orch. on Dec. 29, 1916.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire