Perlemuter, Vladislas

▪ 2003

“Vlado” 

      Polish-born French pianist (b. May 26, 1904, Kovno, Russian Empire [now Kaunas, Lithuania]—d. Sept. 4, 2002, Paris, France), became one of the 20th century's foremost interpreters of the works of Ravel and Chopin, avoiding grandiose showmanship and theatrics for tonal sonority and rhythmic subtlety. Perlemuter was admitted to the Paris Conservatory at the age of 13 and went on to teach there (1950–77). Arguably the definitive voice on Ravel, he performed the entire oeuvre in two recitals in Paris in 1929; the composer attended and provided personal tutoring. In 1953 Perlemuter coauthored Ravel d'après Ravel (Ravel According to Ravel, 1988). He recorded countless works in the 1980s and '90s, including the entire works of Chopin. Perlemuter was appointed a grand officer of the Legion of Honour in 1993.

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