Pianist Earl Wild dies at 94; worked until last week of his life

Pianist Earl Wild dies at 94

NEW YORK — Pianist Earl Wild, who learned his craft from students of Liszt and Ravel and became one of America’s master keyboardists, has died. He was 94.

Wild died of congestive heart disease Saturday at his home in Palm Springs, Calif., his publicist, Mary Lou Falcone, said Monday.

Despite his advanced age, Wild continued to teach until last week. His last public performance was at age 92 at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, where he was presented with the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences’ Presidential Merit Award.

In 2005, he gave a robust recital at Carnegie Hall to celebrate his 90th birthday. Months earlier, his 57th recording album — “Living History” — was released. In all, Wild recorded more than 35 piano concertos and 700 solo pieces.

Born in Pittsburgh, Wild started playing the piano at age 3 and studied with teachers who were taught by Maurice Ravel, Ignace Jan Paderewski and Ferruccio Busoni. Two of his other teachers studied with pupils of Franz Liszt.

Wild went on to perform in countless orchestras, including those led by Fritz Reiner, Otto Klemperer and Arturo Toscanini.

In 1939, he became the first pianist to give a solo recital on American television. Three years later, he performed Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in a national radio broadcast under Toscanini’s baton.

He also played and wrote music for Sid Caesar’s TV show for three years and performed for six American presidents, from Herbert Hoover to Lyndon Johnson.

He is survived by Michael Rolland Davis, his companion of 38 years.

No memorial service is planned, Falcone said.

On the Net:

www.earlwild.com