José Iturbi Báguena (28 November 1895 â€" 28 June 1980) was a
Spanish conductor, pianist and harpsichordist. He appeared in several
Hollywood films of the 1940s, notably playing himself in the musicals
Thousands Cheer (1943), Music for Millions (1944), Anchors Aweigh
(1945), That Midnight Kiss (1949), and Three Daring Daughters (1948),
his only leading role.Born in Valencia, Spain, Iturbi showed a talent
for classical music at an early age, and began musical studies there.
He later moved to Paris in order to proceed with his studies with
Victor Staub at the Paris Conservatory on a scholarship from the
Diputació de Valencia. At this time, he also undertook studies in
keyboard technique and interpretation with the harpsichordist Wanda
Landowska. His worldwide concert tours, beginning around 1912, were
very successful. He made his American debut in New York City in
1929.Between 1911 and 1937, he was the frequent accompanist to the
Spanish violinist Manuel Quiroga on his international tours. On 8 June
1937, he had just said goodbye to Quiroga after a concert in New York
when the violinist was hit by a truck in Times Square, which led to
the premature end of his career.Iturbi made his first appearance as a
conductor in Mexico City in 1933 when presented by impresario Ernesto
de Quesada from Conciertos Daniel. In April 1936, Iturbi was injured
in the crash and sinking of Pan American Airways' Puerto Rican Clipper
in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. After the incident, he said he would not
be able to play "for some time", and "I may not be able to conduct
again." Later that year, he was named conductor of the Rochester
Philharmonic Orchestra in Rochester, New York, serving until 1944. He
also led the Valencia Symphony Orchestra for many years.
Spanish conductor, pianist and harpsichordist. He appeared in several
Hollywood films of the 1940s, notably playing himself in the musicals
Thousands Cheer (1943), Music for Millions (1944), Anchors Aweigh
(1945), That Midnight Kiss (1949), and Three Daring Daughters (1948),
his only leading role.Born in Valencia, Spain, Iturbi showed a talent
for classical music at an early age, and began musical studies there.
He later moved to Paris in order to proceed with his studies with
Victor Staub at the Paris Conservatory on a scholarship from the
Diputació de Valencia. At this time, he also undertook studies in
keyboard technique and interpretation with the harpsichordist Wanda
Landowska. His worldwide concert tours, beginning around 1912, were
very successful. He made his American debut in New York City in
1929.Between 1911 and 1937, he was the frequent accompanist to the
Spanish violinist Manuel Quiroga on his international tours. On 8 June
1937, he had just said goodbye to Quiroga after a concert in New York
when the violinist was hit by a truck in Times Square, which led to
the premature end of his career.Iturbi made his first appearance as a
conductor in Mexico City in 1933 when presented by impresario Ernesto
de Quesada from Conciertos Daniel. In April 1936, Iturbi was injured
in the crash and sinking of Pan American Airways' Puerto Rican Clipper
in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. After the incident, he said he would not
be able to play "for some time", and "I may not be able to conduct
again." Later that year, he was named conductor of the Rochester
Philharmonic Orchestra in Rochester, New York, serving until 1944. He
also led the Valencia Symphony Orchestra for many years.
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