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“Clara Haskil: A Childhood of Genius and Adversity”
Clara Haskil (1895–1960) was a Romanian-born pianist renowned for her extraordinary musicality and interpretative depth, particularly in the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Her childhood was marked by both precocious talent and significant challenges.
Clara was born on January 7, 1895, in Bucharest, Romania, into a Sephardic Jewish family.• She showed an early affinity for music, likely influenced by her family environment—her mother was a capable pianist, and her uncle was a violinist.•
From a young age, Clara suffered from poor health, including a spinal condition that required treatments and caused her physical discomfort throughout her life.
Clara began learning the piano under the guidance of her mother and progressed rapidly.•
Recognizing her talent, her family moved to Vienna, then a hub for classical music, to provide her with better musical opportunities. She studied under Richard Robert, a notable teacher who also instructed Rudolf Serkin and George Szell.•
Conservatoire de Paris: At the age of 7, Clara enrolled at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris. There, she studied with Alfred Cortot and Lazare Lévy, among others. Her remarkable skill earned her a Premier Prix (first prize) at the Conservatoire when she was only 15.ChallengesDespite her undeniable genius, Clara’s childhood was not easy. In addition to her health struggles, she faced the financial difficulties common to her family. Her fragile health and shy, introverted personality often made public performances a daunting challenge.
Clara Haskil’s early experiences shaped her deeply sensitive and introspective approach to music. Her natural talent and rigorous education laid the foundation for a career defined by unparalleled subtlety and emotional depth, despite the struggles she would continue to face in adulthood.
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