Larrocha, Alicia de (1923–)

Spanish composer and pianist. Name variations: Alicia de la Rocha. Born Alicia de Larrocha y de la Calle in Barcelona, Spain, May 23, 1923; dau. of Eduardo de Larrocha and Maria Teresa de la Calle (pianist); studied with Frank Marshall (1883–1959) at Granados Academy; m. Juan Torra, June 21, 1950; children: Juan Francisco and Alicia.

One of the greatest pianists of 2nd half of 20th century, and the most famous pianist in Spain and the Hispanic world, began to study piano at Academia Marshall at age 3; gave 1st public performance at 5 (1929); played a Mozart concerto with Madrid Symphony at 11 (1934); made 1st international tour (1947); played in US with Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (1954); made NY debut at Town Hall (1955); performed several concerts with NY Philharmonic to great critical acclaim (1965); played between 100 and 125 engagements per year (1965–80); for a decade, played annually at NY's Mostly Mozart Festival; had a great command of the Spanish repertoire, especially music of Granados, Falla and Albéniz; played all 5 of Beethoven's piano concertos with André Previn and Pittsburgh Symphony (1979); was known for her incisive and unique interpretation of the classical piano repertoire. Awarded Grand Prix du Disque for recording of Isaac Albéniz's Iberia (1960); awarded Paderewski Medal (1961); named Musical America's Musician of Year (1977); awarded Deutscher Schallplatten Prize (1979); won Spanish Order of Civil Merit and Harriet Cohen Medal.

See also Women in World History.