Egon Petri

Egon Petri ( born March 23, 1881 in Hannover, † 27 May 1962 Berkeley (California ), United States ) was a classical pianist Dutch origin.

Life and work

Egon Petri, son of Dutch parents, was Dutch, from 1955 an American citizen. He was born in 1881 in Hanover, Germany, and grew up in Dresden. His father Henri Petri (1856-1914), a renowned violinist, was Joseph Joachim pupils, from 1882 concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig and from 1889 "Royal Saxon leader " of the Dresden court orchestra; from him he received violin lessons. In addition, he took lessons in music theory ( with Felix Draeseke ), piano (with Richard Mayer book and the Teresa Carreño ), organ and French horn. The visit of the Dresden Kreuz school contributed to his extensive general knowledge.

In Berlin, where he also studied philosophy, in Weimar and Dresden, he received instruction from the great pianist and composer Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924), a friend of the family. Peter was soon the most important Busoni student and interpreter. The two appeared as a piano duo, so still 1921 in London. Also assisted petri his teacher in the publication of the piano works of Johann Sebastian Bach and wrote his piano transcription of the aria Sheep may safely graze from Bach's Cantata hunting an effective work in Busoni tradition.

On September 22, 1905 Peter took up eleven pieces for the Welte-Mignon reproducing piano in Leipzig. As a soloist, he traveled throughout Europe; an extensive tour of Russia fell in the year 1923. Starting from 1929, he played numerous record a. His American debut took place in 1932 in New York.

Even as a teacher Petri was internationally recognized. 1906-1910 he taught at the Royal Manchester College of Music, 1921-1925 at the Academy of Music in Berlin, 1927-1939 in Zakopane (Poland). One day before the German invasion of Poland and thus the beginning of the Second World War, he managed to escape to England, where he had to leave his property. He then emigrated to the USA; taught in Germany and he never concerted again. 1940-1946 he taught at Cornell University in Ithaca (New York), from 1947 to 1957 at Mills College in Oakland ( California), from 1952 to 1962 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 1957 he was briefly employed at the Music Academy of Basel.

For Rudolf Firkušný Petri was " not only a great pianist, but one of the greatest of all time ". The Grove 's Dictionary of 1954 was one of " clear thinking " and " wonderful hands that never make unnecessary movement " to the characteristics of his game. Perhaps his most famous students worldwide were Earl Wild and John Ogdon. Died in 1962 Egon Petri age of 81 in Berkeley ( California).