From The Associated Press
Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha who thrilled music listeners for decades with polished and enthralling interpretations of great classical works, has died aged 86.
Music producer and family friend Gregor Benko says de Larrocha died late Friday in a hospital in her native Barcelona.
Measuring just under 5 foot (1.52 meters), and with unusually small hands for a piano virtuoso, de Larrocha won listeners over with the richness and robustness of her sound. Critically acclaimed for her polished technique in performing Mozart, Beethoven, Schuman and Rachmaninov, de Larrocha was also unrivaled in her interpretation of Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados and Isaac Albeniz.
De Larrocha retired from public performances in 2003, after 75 years as a pianist.
