Brigitte Engerer
Brigitte Engerer (French: [ɑ̃ɡəʁɛʁ]; 27 October 1952 – 23 June 2012) was a French pianist.
Biography
Born in Tunis,[1] French Tunisia, Engerer started piano lessons at the age of four, and by the age of six was performing in public. When she was 11 her family moved to France and she entered the Paris Conservatoire to study under Lucette Descaves.[2] In 1968, aged 15, she was unanimously awarded a first prize in piano, and the following year she won the Concours International Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud. Engerer was subsequently invited to undertake further training at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she joined the class of Stanislav Neuhaus: though her scholarship was originally for one year, she loved Russia so much that she studied there for nine years.[2][3]
In 1980, her career took a decisive turn when Herbert von Karajan invited her to play with the Berlin Philharmonic. She subsequently received engagements with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Orchestre de Paris under Daniel Barenboim.[3] Her subsequent career was divided between giving recitals and teaching at the Paris Conservatoire. Her last recital (Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, 12 June 2012), featured the work of Schumann.[4]
She was married to the writer Yann Queffélec, with whom she had a daughter, Leonore. She later married Xavier Fourteau, and together they had a son, Harold Fourteau. She died of cancer in Paris in 2012.
Selected discography
- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 and Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Emmanuel Krivine
- The Complete Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin
- Sonatas by Beethoven, Grieg and Schumann with Olivier Charlier
- Work for two pianos and piano duet of Rachmaninoff with Oleg Maisenberg and Boris Berezovsky
- A German Requiem by Brahms in a version for two pianos and chorus (London version) with Boris Berezovsky and Accentus Choir conducted by Laurence Equilbey
- Schumann's Carnaval and Scenes from Childhood
- Concertos by Clara and Robert Schumann; Orchestre régional de Cannes-Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur/Philippe Bender
- The works for cello and piano by Chopin; with Henry Demarquette
- Childhood memories (Russian Music); booklet essay by Yann Queffélec (2007 Mirare) ("Choc" du Monde de la Musique)
- L'invitation au Voyage (French music) with Henry Demarquette ("Choc" du Monde de la Musique)
Filmography
Brigitte Engerer images appear repeatedly in Sophie Laloy's film Je te mangerais (released 11 March 2009), in which she is admired by Mary, the main character.[5] She also plays the classical piano pieces heard in the film.
International awards and honours
- Competition Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud
- Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow
- Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium
- Grand Prix du Disque for her recording with Philips of Carnival op. 9 and the Carnival of Vienna Robert Schumann
- Corresponding member of the Institut de France, Academy of Fine Arts
- Win honor for lifetime achievement, the Victoires de la musique 2011 classic
Decorations
- Chevalier of the Legion of Honour
- Commander of the Order of Merit[6]
- Commander of Arts and Letters
References
- ↑ "French virtuoso pianist Brigitte Engerer dies at 59". France24. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- 1 2 Fox, Margalit (29 June 2012). "Brigitte Engerer, Pianist With Singular Style, Dies at 59". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
- 1 2 "Obituary: Brigitte Engerer". Daily Telegraph. London. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- ↑ " Obscène ? Vous avez dit obscène ! ", 88 notes pour piano solo, Jean-Pierre Thiollet, Neva Editions, 2015, p. 226-227. ISBN 978 2 3505 5192 0
- ↑ "Brigitte Engerer – IMDb". Akas.imdb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ "Décret du 13 mai 2011 portant promotion et nomination" (in French). Legifrance. Retrieved 2012-06-24.