Julius Katchen
(1926-1969), PianistSitter in 1 portrait
American concert pianist Katchen made his debut aged ten, and a year later was invited to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra in New York. After the Second World War he gave a concert tour in Europe and settled in Paris. In 1954, when Decca recorded Britten's Diversions for piano (left hand) and orchestra, which was written in 1940 for pianist Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right arm in the First World War, the composer requested that Katchen should be the soloist.
Benjamin Britten; Julius Katchen
by Fox Photos Ltd
bromide print, 1954
NPG x15230
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