MICHELANGELI, ARTURO BENEDETTI

born Jan. 5, 1920, Brescia, Italy died June 12, 1995, Lugano, Switz. Italian pianist best known for his interpretations of Romantic music, particularly that of Claude Debussy. Michelangeli began studying violin at the age of 3 and entered Milan Conservatory at the age of 10 as a piano student of Giuseppe Anfossi. After his graduation in 1933, he turned briefly to medical studies. In 1939 he won first prize at the Geneva International Piano Competition. He served in the Italian air force during World War II. His debuts in London (1946) and New York (1948) won critical acclaim, and he embarked upon an international career. He directed the International Pianists Academy at Brescia from 1964 to 1969; among his students were Martha Argerich and Maurizio Pollini. In his playing Michelangeli displayed consummate technique marked by great clarity and control of tone colour and counterpoint.