Cortot - Alfred Cortot

French pianist. He took tempo rubato to the limit, marking a period in Chopin performance, and also showed his own unique style in Schumann and Debussy. He is one of the leading masters of the first half of the 20th century. Born in Nyon, Switzerland, he moved to Paris at a young age. He made his debut in 1897, the year after graduating from the Paris Conservatory, but he was so fascinated by Wagner that he went to Bayreuth and devoted himself to Wagner's studies. After returning to Japan, he worked hard as a conductor for the Paris premiere of Wagner's music dramas. In 1905, he formed the Casals Trio with cellist Casals and violinist Thibaud, and made a great contribution to the spread of chamber music. In 1917, he became a professor at the Paris Conservatory, but resigned due to a disagreement with the school authorities over educational policy. In 1919, he founded the École Normale de Musique and became its director, where he taught and trained the next generation of musicians. During that time, he continued to be active as a soloist, and established a worldwide reputation. He came to Japan in 1952 (Showa 27), but his technique had already deteriorated significantly by that time. However, his performances, rooted in a mature romantic sensibility, often struck a chord with listeners, and a glimpse of that can be enjoyed from the recordings he left behind.

[Hiroyuki Iwai]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

フランスのピアノ奏者。テンポ・ルバートを極限まで利用、ショパン演奏に一時期を画したほか、シューマンやドビュッシーでも独自の境地を示した、20世紀前半を代表する大家の一人。スイスのニヨンに生まれ、幼時パリに移る。パリ音楽院を卒業した翌1897年にデビューしたが、ワーグナーに心酔してバイロイトに行き、ワーグナー研究に没頭、帰国後は指揮者としてワーグナーの楽劇のパリ初演に尽力した。1905年、チェロのカザルス、バイオリンのチボーとカザルス三重奏団を結成、室内楽の普及に大きく貢献。17年パリ音楽院の教授に就任したが、教育方針をめぐって学校当局と意見が対立、辞任。19年エコール・ノルマル・ド・ミュジックを創立して院長となり、後進の指導と育成にあたった。その間、独奏者としても活躍を続け、世界的な名声を確立。52年（昭和27）に来日したが、そのときはすでに技巧が著しく衰えていた。しかし熟成したロマン的感覚に根ざしたその演奏は、聴き手の琴線に触れることが多く、その片鱗(へんりん)は残されたレコードで味わうことができる。

［岩井宏之］

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