Lipatti, Dinu (actually, Constantin)

Lipatti, Dinu (actually, Constantin), outstanding Romanian pianist and composer; b. Bucharest, April 1, 1917; d. Chêne-Bourg, near Geneva, Dec. 2, 1950. His father was a violinist who had studied with Sarasate, and his mother, a pianist; his godfather was Enesco. He received his early training from his parents; then studied with Florica Musicescu at the Bucharest Cons. (1928–32). He received a second prize at the International Competition at Vienna in 1934, a judgment that prompted Cortot to quit the jury in protest; Lipatti then studied piano with Cortot, conducting with Munch, and composition with Dukas and Boulanger in Paris (1934–39). He gave concerts in Germany and Italy, returning to Romania at the outbreak of World War II. In 1943 he settled in Geneva as a teacher of piano at the Cons. After the war, he resumed his career; played in England 4 times (1946–48). His remarkable career was tragically cut short by lymphogranulomatosis, which led to his early death. He was generally regarded as one of the most sensitive interpreters of Chopin, and was also praised for his deep understanding of the Baroque masters; was also a fine composer. Lipatti was married to the pianist and teacher Madeleine Cantacuzene.

Works

orch.:Şătrarii, symphonic poem (1934; Bucharest, Jan. 23, 19363); Concertino in the Classic Style for Piano and Chamber Orch. (1936; Bucharest, Oct. 5, 1939); Symphonie concertante for 2 Pianos and Strings (1938; Bucharest, May 4, 1941). chamber: Violin Sonatina (1933); Improvisation for Piano, Violin and Cello (1939); Concerto for Organ and Piano (1939); Introduction and Allegro for Flute (1939); Aubade for Wind Quartet (1949). piano: Sonata (1932); 3 Dances (1937); nocturnes (1937, 1939); Sonatina for Piano, Left Hand (1941); Romanian Dances for 2 Pianos (1943; also for Piano and Orch., Geneva, Oct. 11, 1945). vocal: Songs.

Bibliography

M. Lipatti, ed., Hommage à D. L. (Geneva, 1952); A. Lipatti, La Vie du pianiste D. L., écrite par sa mère (Paris, 1954); T. Dragos, L. (Bucharest, 1965); C. Păsculescu-Florian, Vocafie Şi destin, D. L. (Bucharest, 1986); D. Tanasescu and G. Bargauanu, L. (London, 1988); C. Păsculescu-Florian, D. L: Pagini din jurnalul unei regăsiri (Bucharest, 1989); G. Bargauanu and D. Tanasescu, D. L. (Lausanne, 1991).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire