Josef Lhévinne

Though his modest personality offstage defied that of the typical virtuoso, Josef Lhévinne nonetheless won the admiration of fellow artists, and of those audiences who heard him in one of his absorbing piano recitals. While possessed of an immense technique, he applied his brilliance to the service of the repertory he played and avoided the musical distortions of other similarly gifted players. Lhévinne's retiring personality was fortified by the encouragement of his pianist wife, Rosina, who insisted that their two-piano performances include solo works from her husband. Lhévi...