Figure 1.--Claudio's mother dressed him in juvenile outfits even as a tenager. This portrait was taken in 1919 when he was 16 years old. Presumably this was so that he could still be presented as a child prodigy.

Claudio Arrau was a noted Chilean pianist. Claudio Arrau was born in 1903 and was a child prodigy. His mother was an amateur pianist and his father an eye doctor. His father tragically died in a riding accident when Claudio was only 1-year old. The family was not wealthy and Claudio's mother was left to support her three children. Lucretia Leon de Arrau was a strong-willed woman and put her music skills to work by offering piano lessons. She kept Claudio with her during these lessons as she could hardly afford child care. As a result, Claudio was soon playing the piano himself and learned to read musical scores before he could read books. Claudio's musical abilities astonished his mother and by age 5 years he was giving recitals. The Chilean Congress approved funds to send Claudio and his family to Europe where he could develop his talent under music masters. A reader tells us, "When a child, Claudio's mother dressed him in velvet suits and long white stockings."

Parents

Noted Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau's mother was an amateur pianist and his father an eye doctor. His father tragically died in a riding accident when Claudio was only 1-year old. The family was not wealthy and Claudio's mother was left to support her three children. Lucretia Leon de Arrau was a strong-willed woman and put her music skills to work by offering piano lessons.

Childhood

Claudio Arrau was born in 1903 and was a child prodigy. She kept Claudio with her during these lessons as she could hardly afford child care. As a result, Claudio was soon playing the piano himself and learned to read musical scores before he could read books.

Childhood Clothing

A reader tells us, "When a child, Claudio's mother dressed him in velvet suits and long white stockings." The portrait here shows that Claudio at age 16 was still wearing velvet suits and lace collars. Presumably this was so that he could still be presented as a child prodigy.

Prodigy

Claudio's musical abilities astonished his mother and by age 5 years he was giving recitals.

Education

The Chilean Congress approved funds to send Claudio and his family to Europe where he could develop his talent under music masters. His mother decided to go to Berlin. At the time, Germany had perhaps the strongest music tradition in Europe. She had difficulty finding a teacher that right for Claudio. Over 2 years were essentially wasted. Finally she found Martin Krause. There was an instant chemistry with Claudio, who by that time was 10 years old. Krause had been a pupil of Liszt. He was a well-known music German critic knew the great musicians of Europe. Arrau began to look on Krause as the father he had never known. Krause for his part was enchanted with Claudio and began to describe tell friends, "He will be my masterwork." Krause also taught Edwin Fischer. Berlin at the time was a wonderful cultural experience for young Claudio. He attended concerts and was able to experience the performances of the great European pianists. He especially enjoyed Terese Carreno, d'Albert and Busoni. Claudio stayed in Germany even during World War I. Krause died in 1918 during the great flu epidemic.

Career

While studying under Krause, Claudio at age 11 years began giving concerts. He performed throughout Europe. He performed with Nikisch in Leipzig at 12. After losing Krasuse, Claudio decided not to study under another teacher. Instead he studied on his own. He won the Liszt Prize twice in a row during 1919 and 1920 when he was only 16 and 17 years old. Claudio in 1920 debuted in London at the Royal Albert Hall to a rapt audience. He gave another wonderful performance in Berlin with the Berlin Philharmonic under Karl Muck. Claudio visited America for the first time in 193. His debut was at Carnegie Hall in New York City, but he was not well known and the rest of his tour was not a success. Claudo was greatly dissapointed and returned to Germany and the heady enviroment of the Weimar Republic in which many muscicians and artists were experimenting ith new forms.

Final Years

Arraue died in 1991 at Muerzzuschlag, Austria.

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Created: July 21, 2003
Last updated: July 21, 2003