Background
Terence Judd was born in 1957 of English-American parents.
Terence Judd was born in 1957 of English-American parents.
He also studied with Maria Curcio, the last and favourite pupil of Artur Schnabel. In London he also studied with Ezra Rachlin, (1915-1995).
Known particularly for his championship of virtuosic romantic works, above all the music of Franz Liszt, he brought a characteristic exuberance and clarity of expression to his performances. And his recordings bear witness to that. His renditions of Alberto Ginastera"s Piano Sonata Number.
1 and Samuel Barber"s Piano Sonata in East♭ minor remain as milestones for other pianists, and his memorable performances of Tchaikovsky"s Piano Concerto Number.
1 and Prokofiev"s Piano Concerto Number. 3, which he played back-to-back in the finals of the 1978 Tchaikovsky Competition, are among the most exciting of these well-known virtuosic works.
He was awarded joint 4th Prize, with Boris Petrov. Judd disappeared on 16 December 1979 after saying he was going out for a walk.
His body was found at the bottom of Beachy Head on 23 December.
There was a one-way train ticket in his pocket, which was seen as evidence he did not intend to return. At the inquest, his general practitioner testified that he had treated Judd for depression in February 1979. Earlier in his life he had suffered a nervous breakdown and spent several months in a treatment facility in north London, where he received electric shock therapy.
The coroner delivered an open verdict, but it is generally accepted that Judd took his own life.
His family scattered his ashes in Hawaii, a place he had long desired to visit. The Terence Judd Award is given in his honour.
