Kids & Family

Douglaston's Own: Claudio Arrau

Chilean-born pianist moved to Douglas Manor in 1941.

Chile’s Claudio Arrau is known for his interpretations of numerous composers, including Beethoven and Chopin, and is frequently listed among the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

In 1941, the musician moved with his wife to Douglas Manor, where he established a home base.

Arrau was born in Chillan, Chile to an ophthalmologist father and piano teacher mother.

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He gave his first concert at age 5 and, one year later, auditioned in front of Chilean President Pedro Montt.

At age 8, he was sent to a 10-year study program in Germany, where he traveled with his mother and sister.

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By age 11, he was able to play Franz Liszt’s “Transcendental Etudes,” which is often considered among the most difficult pieces to learn on the piano.

In 1937, he married Ruth Schneider, a German mezzo-soprano, and the couple ended up having three children.

The family arrived in northeast Queens in 1941, living in Douglas Manor.

In 1979, Arrau adopted dual U.S. and Chilean citizenship.

The pianist’s most highly recognized recordings include interpretations of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt and Brahms.

He became an honorary member of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1988.

Three years later, the Robert Schumann Society created the Arrau medal and, in 2012, the Chilean pianist was voted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame.

Arrau won numerous awards during his career, including the Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1958, International UNESCO Music Prize in 1983 and Highest Distinction Award from the Inter-American Music Council in 1984.


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