Lympany, Moura (1916–2005)

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Lympany, Moura (1916–2005)

English pianist. Born Mary Gertrude Johnstone in Saltash, Cornwall, England, Aug 18, 1916; died Mar 28, 2005, in Merton, France; studied piano in Belgium and Vienna, and in London with Tobias Matthay and Mathilde Verne; m. Colin Defries, 1944 (div. 1950); m. Bennet Korn (American advertising exec), 1951 (div. 1961).

At 12, debuted with the Mendelssohn G minor Concerto (1938), winning 2nd prize in the Ysaye Competition in Brussels; after WWII, developed an impressive international career; long a champion of contemporary British music, performed Cyril Scott's Piano Concerto on his 90th birthday (1969); her many recordings from the 1950s were re-released as classic performances in the 1990s. Made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1979).