Paul Badura-Skoda
Biography Paul Badura-Skoda
Paul Badura-Skoda
is one of the most important pianists of our time. A legendary artist who has been heard in all the world´s greatest concert halls, and for years was the pianist who had the largest number of records available in the market. His musical personality is characterized by complete immersion in music, a passionate search for the essential, and a sense of artistic responsibility. It soon becomes evident to any listener that he loves music with every part of his being.
In 1945, Badura-Skoda entered the Vienna Conservatory, and two years later won first prize in the Austrian Music Competition and a scholarship which allowed him to study with Edwin Fischer. These years laid the foundation for Badura-Skoda´s artistic future. In 1949, Wilhelm Furtwängler and Herbert von Karajan became aware of Badura-Skoda´s outstanding talent, and invited him to play concerts. Practically overnight the young viennese became a world-famous artist.
Paul Badura-Skoda has recorded a vast repertoire – more than 200 LPs and dozens of compact discs including the complete cycles of the piano sonatas of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.