Claudio Arrau León (February 6, 1903 – June 9, 1991) was a Chilean pianist … Read Full Bio ↴Claudio Arrau León (February 6, 1903 – June 9, 1991) was a Chilean pianist of world fame for his deep interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning from the baroque to 20th-century composers. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.
Arrau recorded the complete piano music of Robert Schumann, and edited his works for publication, as well as all Beethoven piano sonatas in Urtext edition. He is also famous for his recordings of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Liszt, Chopin, Schubert and Debussy, among others. He played with style and passion, with a prodigious technique. Many claimed that his rich, weighty tone lent his interpretations a distinctive voice, some saying it sounded thick and muddy and others praising its rounded tone, saying it sounded as though Arrau were almost playing the organ or "plowing" his "paws" into the "flexible" keyboard. According to American critic Harold Schonberg, Arrau always put "a decidedly romantic piano tone in his interpretations." Although he often played with slower and more deliberate tempi from his middle age, Arrau had a reputation for being a fabulous virtuoso early in his career. According to Joseph Horowitz in his book Conversations With Arrau (1982), many critics feel his overall approach became less spontaneous and more reserved and introspective after the death of his mother, to whom he was extremely close.
At the time of his death at 88 in Mürzzuschlag, Austria, Arrau was working on a compact disc recording of the complete works of Bach for keyboard, and had Haydn, Mendelssohn, Reger, Busoni and Boulez's 3rd Sonata in preparation. His remains were interred in his native city of Chillán, Chile.
The Robert Schumann Society established the Arrau Medal in 1991. It has been awarded to András Schiff, Martha Argerich and Murray Perahia.
Arrau recorded the complete piano music of Robert Schumann, and edited his works for publication, as well as all Beethoven piano sonatas in Urtext edition. He is also famous for his recordings of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Liszt, Chopin, Schubert and Debussy, among others. He played with style and passion, with a prodigious technique. Many claimed that his rich, weighty tone lent his interpretations a distinctive voice, some saying it sounded thick and muddy and others praising its rounded tone, saying it sounded as though Arrau were almost playing the organ or "plowing" his "paws" into the "flexible" keyboard. According to American critic Harold Schonberg, Arrau always put "a decidedly romantic piano tone in his interpretations." Although he often played with slower and more deliberate tempi from his middle age, Arrau had a reputation for being a fabulous virtuoso early in his career. According to Joseph Horowitz in his book Conversations With Arrau (1982), many critics feel his overall approach became less spontaneous and more reserved and introspective after the death of his mother, to whom he was extremely close.
At the time of his death at 88 in Mürzzuschlag, Austria, Arrau was working on a compact disc recording of the complete works of Bach for keyboard, and had Haydn, Mendelssohn, Reger, Busoni and Boulez's 3rd Sonata in preparation. His remains were interred in his native city of Chillán, Chile.
The Robert Schumann Society established the Arrau Medal in 1991. It has been awarded to András Schiff, Martha Argerich and Murray Perahia.
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Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op.13 -"Pathétique"
Claudio Arrau Lyrics
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The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
Mauricio Marson Lopes
Arrau é o pianista que melhor entendeu as sonatas de Beethoven
Eric B
I heard so many different pianists over the years play this from Kempff, Richter, Rubinstein, Gould and I never understood this one. Finally, 8 years later I finally got this. Sobbing into tissue paper like a baby.
Martin88teclas
Gracias Dios por la música. Por Beethoven. Por Claudio Arrau. Por estas lágrimas que brotan ahora en mis ojos. Thanks God!
José Miguel Ramos
Sin duda alguna, la interpretación de las sonatas de Beethoven por Arrau es insuperable. Su sonido, elocuencia discursiva y técnica, son un referente interpretativo siempre.
Victor Evelyn
This brings back memories of hearing a performance of this same piece by Arrau live in Newcastle upon Tyne 41 years ago.I was so transported that I was unable to applaud , just sat there stunned.Thanks Beethoven for composing the finest piano work of all time and thanks MR Arrau for sharing your deep understanding of it with the world of music lovers
Kevin Murphy
What a truly joyful memory.
Claudia Siefer
I envy you your experience of hearing Arrau play this particular composition live. Today i listened to Evgeny Kissin play with great technical acuity but Arrau is for me the more expressive
Bill Alexander
Arrau is a legend - just as is Beethoven. This is the epitome of Beethoven's keyboard works. The variations are nothing short of superb.
loveispatient0808 Lee
Yes! So blessed I have heard him live in Chicago in the 1970s as a student at the American Conservatory of Music!😊😊
Bill Alexander
I love his interpretations of the Chopin Ballades.