Zecchi, Carlo

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Zecchi, Carlo

Zecchi, Carlo, Italian pianist and conductor; b. Rome, July 8, 1903; d. Salzburg, Aug. 31, 1984. He studied at the Liceo and Cons, in Rome, where he received instruction in piano from Bajardi and in composition from Bustini, Refice, and Setaccioli; continued his training with Schnabel and Busoni in Berlin, where he made his debut as a pianist at the age of 17. He subsequently toured throughout Europe and the U.S. until giving up his solo career in 1939 to tour in duo recitals with the cellist Enrico Mainardi; also studied conducting with H. Munch and Guarnieri; from 1947 he pursued a successful career as a guest conductor; taught at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome and also gave summer master classes in Salzburg.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire