Alexander Toradze
Georgian-born American pianist Alexander 'Lexo' Toradze was born in Tbilisi on 30 May 1952. His father was the Georgian composer David Toradze (1922-1983). Alexander studed at the central music school in Tbilisi and performed with an orchestra when nine years old. Whilst at the Moscow Conservatory, studying with Lev Naumov, Yakov Zak and Boris Zemliansky, he won the silver medal at the fifth Van Cliburn Piano Competition.
While touring with the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra in Spain, he was granted asylum and moved to the USA. He toured internationally, appearing with many of the world's top orchestras, and became the Martin Endowed Professor of Piano at Indiana University South Bend. Specialising in interpreting Russian composers, he was also known for praying before each performance.
Alexander Toradze died on 11 May 2022, aged sixty-nine, in South Bend, Indiana, USA, after suffering acute heart failure three weeks earlier while performing.
A selection of articles about Alexander Toradze
Classical music news. Toradze International Music Festival - The Toradze Foundation presents the second edition of its music festival in the Georgian capital Tbilisi
Classical music news - May 2022 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month