KATZ, MINDRU

KATZ, MINDRU (1925–1978), Romanian-born Israeli pianist. Born in Bucharest and recognized as a child prodigy by George Enescu, Katz was recommended to Floria Musicescu, with whom he studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Bucharest. Katz made his debut with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra (1947), won prizes at international competitions, and the state prize, first class, of the Romanian Republic (1954). Between 1947 and 1959 he went on concert tours in Eastern Europe, and made his debuts in Paris (1957) and in London (1958). In 1959 he gave his first Festival Hall recital, recorded Khachaturian's concerto and Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto, and settled in Israel. He first played with the Israel Philharmonic under Martinon and continued to make extensive tours in Western Europe, Africa, the Far East, and the Americas. He performed with leading orchestras and illustrious conductors such as Sir John Barbirolli, Antal Dorati, and Joseph Krips. Katz was appointed lecturer at the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University and a professor in 1972. He had great impact on the level of piano culture in Israel. His piano playing managed to be both technically brilliant and full of poetry. His repertoire ranged from Bach to Prokofiev but he was most acclaimed in Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. He died during a recital. -ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: New Grove Dictionary (1980). (Naama Ramot (2nd ed.)