Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-1995)

This information was generously sent to me by Ди́на, Dina/ Diana (Russian Federation), who transcribed the extracts in English. After a long break, Michelangeli's first appearance was in Warsaw as juror during the 5th Chopin Festival (22 February-21 March, 1955). He resigned in protest, as Vladimir Ashkenazy, who he believed should have won, finished second to Polish pianist Adam Harasiewicz (aged 23) by a small margin. The competition ran 21 February to 20 March 1955, and

'Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, an Italian considered one of the best pianists in the world, left an impression in music circles as a strange person. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli often canceled announced concerts when he was not inspired. This happened in the USA and must have happened here too. A long-distance call he had made from Moscow to Italy lasted a full hour: he gave a lecture by telephone to the music school of his name. In hotels in Moscow and Leningrad, he insist