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A Hungarian pianist/composer Ervin Nyiregyhazi (1903-1987) is probably best remembered for his magnificent performance in the LP "Nyiregyhazi plays Liszt"(Desmar, 1977). He started his musical life as a prominent prodigy and developed his successful concert career in Europe. At 15, he performed with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Arthur Nikisch. He eventually moved to the US and made his US debut concert at Carnegie Hall when he was 17 years old. "A new Liszt", that's what critics called him then. His glorious victory lasted until the mid 20's------ and then crisis suddenly came. It is said that he slept in subway stations and parks, and appeared in low budget films for a small fee. His name was soon forgotten, while he spent his time on drinking alcohol, marrying 10 times, and composing music in the slums.
In 1972, after a half-century of obscurity, the 70-year-old- Nyiregyhazi decided to start performing again to pay for his wife's illness. Eventually his unique interpretation of Liszt gained enormous attention from record companies, critics, and the international news media. He played in Japan in 1980 and 1982. He died of cancer in 1987.
Nyiregyhazi left a dozen piano roll recordings, a few studio and live recordings, and more than 2000 compositions.
Many of them remain unpublished. |
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