Cziffra, Gyorgy. (1921–1994)

Signed Photograph

Signed official photograph of the great Hungarian-French pianist issues by Disques La Voix de son maître (=HMV) and credited to Brodsky.  Inscribed to verso in French, "à Mme Florence – ave amitié – Georges Cziffra 17-8-1989."  5.5 x 3.5 inches, with deckle edge.  Crease to lower right corner, else in fine condition.

Of Romani descent, Cziffra was initially self-taught on the piano before becoming a student of Ernö Dohnanyi.  He saw action in the Second World War and Soviet captivity after, tried to flee communist Hungary in 1950 and was sent to a labor camp for three years.  Only with his successful flight of 1956 his career really took off.  He settled in France, eventually becoming a French citizen.  In terms of technique, Cziffra had few rivals within his generation, and he showcased it not only in his interpretations of Liszt, Schumann, Chopin and others, but also in his own transcriptions and arrangements, which have been picked up by Yuja Wang in recent years. (22396)
Signed Photograph
Classical Music