Search - Chopin, Costa, Rpo :: Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Gilbert Varga is becoming one of today's most sought-after conductors. He has extensive experience in both chamber orchestras and symphonic repertoire, has held positions with leading German orchestras, and has guest conducted major orchestras throughout the world. Born in London, Varga studied with his father Tibor Varga, the famous Hungarian violinist. After an accident brought an abrupt halt to a promising solo career, he studied under three different maestros: Ferrara, Celibidache, and Bruck. Portuguese-born Sequeira Costa has had a long and distinguished career, giving his first recital at the age of seven in 1936. By the age of 16, he completed his official studies and gave a recital programming Chopin's 24 Etudes and Four Ballades. Costa was a pupil of Vianna de Motta (one of the last pupils of Liszt), and later in London with Mark Hamburg, in Paris with Jacques Fevrier & Marguerite Long, and in Lucerne with the great Edwin Fischer. He won the "Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris" at the Marguerite Long International Piano Competition in 1951 and, since then, his career has taken him to every continent.