BIOGRAPHY
Childhood And First Years
Mindru Katz at 4 years old and Setta, his sister.
Mindru Katz was born in Bucharest Romania, on June 3rd, 1925.
‘Mindru’ in Romanian, means: ‘PROUD’. A few weeks after Mindru’s birth, unexpectedly the little baby (Mindru) raised his head and looked proudly around him, while his mother changed his diaper. At that moment, his parents, Olga (mother) & Bernard Katz (father), decided to call him Mindru. His parents, who were financially established people, (they were in the fabric business), bought a piano for Setta Katz – Mindru’s sister.
As accustomed in those days, a well raised and educated daughter, should learn to play the piano. Hence they engaged a piano teacher, in order to teach Setta the art of piano playing !
Setta hated the piano and looked for a “constructive way”, in order to cease those annoying lessons.
As she was very mischievous, she recruited Mindru and together they decided to put thumbtacks in the piano footstool, prior to Setta’s next lesson.
And so they did ! Next lesson’s day arrived and Olga couldn’t understand, why were those two brats laughing so much ??!! And…. when the teacher came and sat on the footstool by the piano - Olga understood !!!
You can imagine how angry were Mindru’s parents, when they saw the piano teacher jump, almost touching the ceiling !
“That’s it !! – No more piano lessons for you any more, we’ll sell the piano”, they said irascibly !!
What a “terrible punishment “ it was for Setta ?!
However, little Mindru wasn’t so happy with his parent’s threat and asked them to keep the piano, a little longer. He started to “learn playing” by himself and in a short while, was discovered as a very good autodidact.
Ghitta Shapira, a friend of the family and a pianist, heard Mindru playing. Even though Mindru was merely four years old, she decided on the premises, to take Mindru “under her wing” and gave him piano lessons.
By those days, Mrs. Shapira was the regular accompanist of George Enescu, the famous Romanian Composer, Violinist and Pianist.
After first lessons to the young boy, she was so impressed by Mindru’s playing, that she asked George Enescu to pay a visit at the Katz’s residence in order to hear, Mindru play.
Enescu, who was very fond of Mrs. Shapira, complied with her request.
Enescu came, listened to Mindru’s playing and decided instantly, that Mindru is a child prodigy, who has to be molded by an expert. That’s how Enescu discovered Mindru and became his mentor. Next day, Enescu talked to Florica Musicescu, a very famous and tough piano teacher, who agreed, under Enescu’s recommendation, to give Mindru, piano lessons, even at Mindru’s age. Usually she taught grown-ups like Dinu Lipatti and not little boys, at the age of four !
In the winter of 1930 at the age of five, Mindru was a little more than a year, Mrs. Muzicescu’s student.
At this stage, Mrs. Musicescu together with Maestro Enescu, decided that Mindru is ready for his first piano recital. Therefore, Mindru presented himself on the stage of the Bucharest Conservatory with a ‘full house’ and among the audience there were : Mrs. Muzicescu and George Enescu.
That evening, Mindru at the age of five, played with a tremendous success his first piano recital. He was so small, he couldn’t reach the pedals of the piano, thus a special device was built exclusively for him, in order to solve the little boy’s problem. The next day, Mrs. Muzicescu informed Mindru, that on the recommendation of Mr. Enescu and hers, Mindru was admitted to the Prestigious Bucharest’s Royal Academy of Music.
“From now on, you’ll be one of my students and I’ll teach you there…” she said. “It’s a great honor, but I am still a child and I want to play..” Mindru declared ! – After a short 'negotiation' they agreed, he should start the academy of music, the following year. That’s how Mindru began at the age of six, his studies at the Royal Academy, which included composing, conducting and piano playing.
Four years later, at the age of ten, Mindru played one of the Mozart’s Piano Concertos with the Academy Orchestra, conducted by: Maestro George Enescu and among the audience, was a young violinist (17 years old) by the name of Yehudi Menuhin, who came (on and off) since1927 to Romania, to study the violin with Maestro Enescu. Few days later (1935), Enescu decided to relocate permanently to Paris, and establish there his career. The violinist Menuhin was already living in Paris.
Yehudi Menuhin, who was a very close friend of Mindru, will be mentioned later on in this biography.
Unfortunately, Mindru’s studies at the academy were interrupted in 1936, by the new Nazi regime, who took over Romania. Between 1943-1944, Mindru was forced to do compulsion labor !
In 1945, by the end of 2nd World War, Mindru could resume his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in Bucharest. In 1947, he graduated the Royal Academy with distinction and was awarded with the First Class Honors.
1947 was also the year, Mindru made his debut with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra (known today as the George Enescu Orchestra) at the Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall. He played the 1st Piano Concerto by Tchaikovsky with a tremendous success.
That’s how Mindru Katz started a glorious carrier, as a pianist.
Mindru Katz at
7 years old.
TRIUMPHAL SUCCESS IN EASTERN AND WESTERN EUROPE 1947-1959
Maestro Georges Enesco, left his villa in Sinaia-Romania, moved to Paris-France and never returned to Romania. He died in Paris, on May, 1955.
From now on, Mindru Katz’s name precedes him; he became a celebrity in Romania and was awarded with the title of ‘Artist Of The First Rank’ (Artist Emerit).
Between 1951-1953, Mindru Katz won, the first prize, at the Berlin, Prague and Warsaw Piano Competitions.
Shortly, he became a celebrity in whole Eastern Europe, with triumphal success concerts, including : Prague, Budapest, Moscow, Berlin, Warsaw and many more.
In 1956, during a concert tour in Moscow, the Russians recorded and published, Mindru’s first record, which included : Haydn, Marcello, Ravel and Enescu. This Record was first published in the same year (1956).
Acclaimed by the Russian Critics – MOSCOW 1956 :
“Katz is a virtuoso, with a perfect technique… His interpretation was natural, convincing and remarkable for his real understanding of the spirit of the work (Tchaikovsky).”
SOVESKAIA KULTURA (V. CRIUCOV)
“Katz expresses perfectly the richness of feelings of Bach… His interpretation of the Tchaikovsky Concerto was brilliant, full of passion and creative spirit. Katz proved himself to be not only a virtuoso, but a fine musician.”
IZVESTIA and PRAVDA (I. Martinov)
This acclaimed success reached Western Europe, hence Mindru Katz was invited to play in the West.
His concert debut in the West was in 1957, starting with Vienna, Paris.
Acclaimed by the French Critics – PARIS 1957 :
“Mindru Katz possesses the vitality and ardor needed for the playing of great works…”
FRANCE - TIREUR
The successes in Vienna and Paris were followed by a concert tour in Iceland and London. Those concerts, were a resounding success described by the British Critics in the press:
“DAZZLING VIRTUOSITY… SUPERB PIANISM… everything he did was admirably controlled, however breath-taking as a feat of virtuosity, with tone that never lost mellowness and beauty even when most strained in moments of grandeur and might.. outstanding range and quality of key-board sonority.”
THE TIMES - LONDON
The British Critics were ecstatic about this LP Record – That’s what they wrote, a year later in 1958, when this disc was published :
“DISCS OF THE MONTH – The pianist is not only brilliant but has attained supreme control of the instrument, with a wonderful range of tonal colour.”
The Daily Telegraph (London) May 1958
“. . . a beautifully sensitive style of playing and a wide range of tone colour, as well as great technical facility.”
Record News (London) May 1958
The London Tour of 1957, was also Mindru Katz’s first appearance with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult and the Pianist Mindru Katz as soloist.
This combination between Mindru Katz, Sir Adrian Boult and The London Philharmonic Orchestra, led in a series of very successful concerts, at the Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall in London, followed by an Historical Recording, on PYE RECORDS, of the Khachaturian Piano Concerto in D Flat Major (1936) and the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Flat Major Op. 10 – With Mindru Katz piano-Sir Adrian Boult Conducting-The London Philharmonic Orchestra. Published in 1959,
This record was : The Critics’ Choice – Gramophone (London) 1959
“From every point of view this performance is way ahead of its rivals. The playing by Katz and the orchestra calls for superlatives.”
Gramophone (London) April 1959
First published in 1959, followed by an additional 11 versions of the LP Vinyl, published over the years in many countries around the globe. In 1986 PRT Germany, published the Digitally Remastered Record on CD and in 2010 – this recording was published on CD, by EMI.
Critics and experts stated that this recording is one of the best performances of those two concertos. Some of them claimed that it’s the most brilliant one.
Broadcast TV and further concert appearances, soon followed those achievements.
The pianist Mindru Katz, loved Romania and always returned to it, after concerts performances abroad.
Until…. the year 1959, when everything changed dramatically !
A Fabulous International Career 1959 - The Day Of His Tragic Death - 30.1.1978
In 1959 Mindru Katz returned to UK for another concert tour, mainly in London.
The resounding success, from concerts at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Albert Hall, were expressed by the public as by the critics.
After playing Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto (The Emperor), at the Albert Hall, with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli ;
THE DAILY MAIL : “HAIL TO ONE OF THE KEYBOARD MASTERS OF OUR TIME…”
“A MASTER PIANIST : Hail to Mindru Katz, one of the keyboard masters of our time . . . utter precision at whirling speed . . . acute poetic sensibility. Katz’s self-possession and the apparent effortlessness of his playing are out of this world.” DAILY MAIL
The ‘Securitate’ (secret Romanian Police Agency) BY that time, wanted to take advantage of Mindru Katz’s glorious success and asked Mindru to be their agent !
It was against Mindru’s character, values and personality to join the ‘Securitate’ and become their agent. Hence, he decided to remain in the UK, thus defected to the west-he had never returned to Romania, since. England offered Mindru political asylum and Mindru gratefully, accepted it. The annunciation, about Mindru Katz's defection, was made through the press and Electronic Media. The Securitate called this act of defection, a treachery and declared Mindru ;
A TRAITOR !!! As one of the consequences, they destroyed all Mindru’s Recordings from the Romanian Radio, including the historic ones, with Maestro Georges Enesco. Enough said about this ‘Securitate’ issue and won’t elaborate on this matter, any more.
Mindru Katz and
Sir John Barbirolli
during recording
Acclaimed by the critics of : BEETHOVEN : Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat major (“Emperor”)
Halle Orchestra / Mindru Katz / Sir John Barbirolli.
The Daily Telegraph, declared this record as : Record of the year 1959.
The Gramophone compared Mindru Katz’s playing, with that of Vladimir Horowitz :
“I know of no one outside Horowitz who can put such thrilling brio . . . and Katz is a far better
Beethoven player than Horowitz.” Gramophone Record Review (London) July 1959.
This record was reissued in 8 versions and published in lots of countries round the world, including :
USA, Australia, Japan, New-Zeeland, South-Afrika and most countries in Europe.
It was digitally remastered on CD by the Barbirolli Society and published by EMI in 2010.
It is much appreciated and broadcasted, even many years since it was recorded.
Due to the success of those records, PYE decided to record an additional five records, with Mindru Katz: four piano recitals records and a Bach Record which included 3 Piano Concertos, with the Pro Arte Orchestra, conducted by Harry Newstone. All these 5 records, were a big success, which gained the public audiences and critics, appreciations.
In 1960, Midru had decided to leave England and settle in Israel.
The Pianist MINDRU KATZ with YITZHAK BEN-ZVI
the 2nd President of the State of Israel, in 1960.
However, London was Mindru’s main and most important residence. There he appeared
in the most important concert halls and the bulk of his concerts and recitals were
broadcasted live, on TV/RADIO. Mindru Katz was frequently broadcasted on BBC TV
like the Celebrity Recital of the brilliant young Rumanian Pianist (BBC TV Recording) and BBC TV – 24.12.1960 – Mindru Katz - CHRISTMAS SPECIAL TV Recital. On the Radio, Mindru Katz’s Concerts, were broadcasted live and recorded on BBC – RADIO 3. On February 1969, it was Mindru Katz the well known artist, who was invited by the BBC to be The Artist Of The Month.
The meteoric international career of the Pianist Mindru Katz had taken off. Ever since he performed in the most famous concert halls and music centers, in many countries all over the world. He was often invited to play at the most important Music Festivals around the globe. Frequently, he went on Concert Tours (in the five continents), which included : USA, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Asia. Asia’s Tour, comprised of the Far East : Hong-Kong, New Zealand, Japan, The Philippines and others which varied on each tour, with excellent reviews and public ovations.
Mindru Katz with Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
second president of the state of Israel
Mindru Katz in Australia
during an interview
on ABC
Mindru Katz IN an interview on ABC, during the Far East concert tour in 1966.
Mindru Katz in his Historic Collaborations, has concertized with well known orchestras, conductors and performed chamber music, with First Class Musicians.
Mindru Katz started his pedagogical activity in 1971. He had joined the Academic Staff of The Tel-Aviv University, as an associate professor at The Tel-Aviv Music Academy. During this years as a Piano Master Class Professor, he had issued a number of pianists.
The pianist Jeremy Menuhin (the son of the violinist Yehudi Menuhin), studied piano with Mindru Katz, though not as a formal student at the academy.
Mindru Katz was one of the most prominent artists, in the Israeli music and cultural life.
Mindru Katz was one of the most prominent artists, in the Israeli music and cultural life.
He appreciated a lot, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and appeared with it, in numerous important events of the IPO. For example, The Brahms Cycle (1964) in which he played the Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 in D Minor Op.15, conducted by Josef Krips.
The audiences loved and appreciated Mindru and he from his
side, adored his public and never refused to give at least one
encore, as a reciprocation to its standing ovations.
In 1972, on Mindru Katz’s 25th year of international career, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated this event, by a series of concerts with the Pianist Mindru Katz and the IPO.
The climax of this event, was a big piano recital given by Mindru Katz at the Tel Aviv Mann Auditorium, June 17th, 1972.
Another historic recording which was praised by many accolades, were the two violin-piano sonatas :
1) The Brahms Sonata No.3 in D minor, Op.108.
2) The Franck Sonata in A Major, Op.6.
On March 1973, Mindru Katz-piano and Henryk Szeryng-violin, played those two sonatas, live from one of the BBC 3 Studios, as part of the BBC Proms Concert Series. The one take recording from that live broadcast, became an Historic Recording and is counted as one of the best performances of the two, above mentioned, sonatas.
This historic recording, was and is broadcasted on BBC and on various radio stations world wide.
Three years later, in the summer of 1976, Mindru Katz played those two sonatas of Brahms and Franck, together with the Violinist Yehudi Menuhin, at the Yehudi Menuhin Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland. At this festival, Mindru Katz performed a trio sonata with the violinist Yehudi Menuhin and the cellist Maurice Gendron.
Mindru Katz was often invited to be in the jury of various important International Piano Competitions, i.e., Van Cliburn (1969), A. Rubinstein in Israel (1974), Leeds in the UK (1972 & 1975) and so on.
Two important events occurred at the beginning of 1977;
-
The birth of Narda, Mindru Katz’s daughter.
-
In contrast to (1), a tragic car accident, which was the trigger of a severe Heart Attack !
Mindru Katz avoided appearing in public, for several months, as an outcome of this Heart Infarction.
He was at the pick of his career, with a schedule of very important concerts ahead, and as you can imagine,
he missed his public a lot.
In the summer of 1977, Mindru Katz insisted playing 3 Beethoven Sonatas (“Hammerklavier” Sonata, was one of them), after being invited to play, at the Israel Festival (which mentioned 150 years since Beethoven’s death). Immediately, after this performance, Mindru Katz was hospitalized again, with a severe Ischemia.
But even this incident didn’t prevent him from performing in a series of concerts in Turkey.
Nor did it inhibit him from announcing the Germans, that he would come as scheduled, to record the TWO PIANO CONCERTOS BY BRAHMS, with THE MUNICH PHILHARMONIC conducted by SERGIU CELIBIDACHE.
On the eve of his trip to Turkey, Mindru took me for a walk ‘around the block’ and among numerous important things we’ve discussed, he told me (and I quote): “… I KNOW, I WONT RETURN ALIVE FROM TURKEY, BUT I PREFER TO DIE ON STAGE, THAN DIE IN A HOSPITAL CONNECTED TO A RESPIRATORY DEVICE !!!!....” (As a cardiologist and his friend, I can fully understand him !)
The next day, on January 20th 1978, he left for Turkey and I have never seen him since !
On January 24th 1978 – MINDRU KATZ played in Ankara the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 With The Ankara Presidential Symphony Orchestra Conducted by The Polish Conductor, Tadeusz Strugala.
On January 27th 1978 – MINDRU KATZ recorded a short piano recital for the Turkish TV (TRT) at the television studios in Ankara. The recital comprised of :
1. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor (“Moonlight”) Op. 27 No. 2.
Watch it in -> FULL HD-1080P or ULTRA HD-4K
2. Chopin: Etude Op. 10 No. 3 in E Major.
Watch it in -> FULL HD-1080P or ULTRA HD-4K
On January 30th 1978 – MINDRU KATZ took the stage, at the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul for his last recital (performance) in this Turkish Concerts Tour. Shortly before the intermission, at about 20.30 Turkish Time and while playing, just before the end, of the 3rd movement of the Beethoven, Piano Sonata No.17 in D Minor Op.31 No.2 (TEMPEST), Mindru Katz had a heart arrest-(most probably a VF in the professional term) which caused his mortality on the premises !
Mindru Katz died at the age of 52(8) years old. His death, that night, stopped a career of almost 47 years, which started at the age of 6 years old, discovered by his mentor, Georges Enesco.
His life was as stormy as the name of the sonata, he played that evening and with which he ended his life !
A couple of days after Mindru Katz’s death, his good friend, The Violinist, Maestro Yehudi Menuhin, published in the World Press, the following lines :
I heard with deep sorrow about the decease of The Pianist Mindru Katz.
The musical world lost a great artist and an excellent pianist.
Personally, I lost a dear friend and an outstanding musician.
We'll miss him a lot !
Yehudi Menuhin
Mindru Katz (1st from left on the upper row) as adjudicator together with Lord Edward Boyle and other members of the jury - Leeds Piano International, UK 1975
Mindru Katz with Arthur Rubinstein, at the
1st Rubinstein Piano Competition,
Israel 1974
