Alicia de Larrocha's style combined poetic interpretation, grace and subtlety with technical virtuosity and remarkable focus.
Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha, who thrilled music listeners for decades with polished and enthralling interpretations of great classical works, has died. She was 86.
De Larrocha died late Friday in a Barcelona hospital, said piano music expert, music producer and family friend Gregor Benko. She had been in poor health the last two years after breaking her hip.
Critically acclaimed for her technique in performing Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and Rachmaninoff, De Larrocha also was unrivaled in her interpretation of Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla as well as masters from her native Catalonia such as Enrique Granados and Isaac Albeniz.
