Youth and Beginnings

Alicia de Larrocha was born on May 23, 1923, in Barcelona, Spain. A child prodigy, she began playing the piano at the age of three and began her training at the age of four with Frank Marshall, a renowned pianist and disciple of Enrique Granados. Under his tutelage, she developed a deep understanding of the classical and Spanish repertoire.

From the age of six, she performed in public and, at eleven, she performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major, "from the Coronation" with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra. Her remarkable playing, combining virtuosity and sensitivity, captivated listeners from a very young age.

Rise to international fame

Although her career began in Spain, Alicia de Larrocha achieved worldwide recognition in the 1950s. Her real turning point came when an American impresario discovered a recording of her interpretations of Albéniz and Granados. He invited her to the United States, where she was immediately acclaimed.

Her playing, of exceptional clarity and musicality, seduces with its luminosity and depth. Despite her small hands, she masters demanding works, such as Rachmaninov's Concerto No. 3. Her interpretation of Spanish composers – Albéniz, Granados, Falla and Mompou – becomes a reference and contributes to making their music shine throughout the world.

An Ambassador of Spanish Music

While Alicia de Larrocha excels in the classical repertoire, performing Bach, Mozart, Chopin and Schumann, her true love remains Spanish music. She brings to light works such as Iberia by Albéniz, a virtuoso suite evoking the landscapes and rhythms of Spain, or the Goyescas by Granados, inspired by the paintings of Goya.

She also explores lesser-known composers, such as Padre Antonio Soler and Carlos Surinach, thus securing their place on the international stage. Her playing, at once authentic, warm and with an unequalled rhythmic precision, captures the very essence of the Spanish soul.

A Legacy of Excellence

Alicia de Larrocha has recorded extensively and received numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. She has performed alongside the greatest orchestras and conductors, cementing her reputation as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

Alongside her concert career, she also devotes herself to teaching and directs the Marshall Academy in Barcelona, thus perpetuating the tradition transmitted by her master.

Recent Years and Legacy

Alicia de Larrocha gave her last concert in 2003, closing a career that spanned nearly eight decades. She died on September 25, 2009, at the age of 86. Her influence lives on through her recordings, which remain essential references in the Spanish piano repertoire.

As Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire so aptly summed up: “I loved her deeply; she was a modest woman and her piano shone like the sun.” Even today, Alicia de Larrocha is celebrated not only as an exceptional virtuoso, but also as a true ambassador of Spanish music, whose legacy continues to inspire pianists and music lovers around the world.