Pianist Maurizio Pollini Has Died

Maurizio Pollini, the revered Italian pianist known for his intellectual interpretations and unmatched technical skill, passed away today at the age of 82.

Pollini’s career spanned over six decades, with his debut at Milan’s La Scala in 1958. He rose to international prominence after winning the prestigious Frédéric Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1960. Throughout his career, Pollini performed at all the major concert halls around the world, collaborating with renowned conductors and orchestras.

He was particularly admired for his interpretations of, among others, the works of Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, and Schumann. However, Pollini was also a champion of contemporary music, performing and commissioning works by composers like Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Luigi Nono.

La Scala, where Pollini performed a staggering 168 times, announced his passing and hailed him as “one of the great musicians of our time.” Tributes are pouring in from the music world, recognizing Pollini’s immense contribution to the piano repertoire and his dedication to the art form.