Magda Tagliaferro, Brazilian Classical Pianist, Dies in Rio

Magda Tagliaferro, the Brazilian-born classical pianist whose career spanned more than seven decades, has died of a heart attack.

She was considered a great interpreter of the works of Austrian composer Franz Schubert. Tagliaferro made her concert debut in 1908 in Paris, and lived in France most of her life. A respected teacher as well as an outstanding performer, she had been on the staff of the Paris Conservatory since 1937.

Tagliaferro continued performing around the world until last year, when she returned to her native land and decided to spend her remaining days in Rio.

In announcing her death Wednesday, Tagliaferro’s agent gave her age as 93. But at the time of her first and last West Coast performance in October, 1980, she was reported to be 92.

“Ah, my age,” she said in an interview at the time, “Some claim I am 67, others say I am close to a century. It is all very funny. I tell you one thing for certain, I have the age the music gives me.”

In his review of her performance at Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium, Times critic Martin Bernheimer wrote: “She is, virtually by default, a walking piece of history,” because she had been on speaking terms with Faure, Ravel, D’Indy and Hahn, and a protege of the legendary teacher Alfred Cortot.