Tagliaferro, Magda

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Tagliaferro, Magda

Tagliaferro, Magda, French pianist and pedagogue; b. Petropolis, Jan. 19, 1893; d. Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 9, 1986. She studied at the Säo Paulo Cons, before going to Paris to continue her training at the Cons, there (graduated with a premier prix, 1907); also received private lessons from Cortot. In 1908 she launched her concert career and also was active as a teacher; after teaching a master class at the Paris Cons. (1937-39), she pursued her career in the Americas; from 1949 she was again active in Paris. Her concert career lasted for over 75 years; she made numerous appearances in recitals in the U.S., the last one in 1980; gave a London recital in 1983 at the age of 90. In her prime, she was known for her sensitive readings of the French repertoire; she also gave the premiere of Villa-Lobos’s Momoprecoce for Piano and Orch. (1929).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire