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Loretta Dranoff
(1922 - 2012)

Founder

 

Loretta, a native New Yorker is remembered as the artistic powerhouse that single-handedly started The Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation and Competition which began the renaissance of two piano music. The Competition introduced young artists from 30 countries to the world's greatest concert halls.

More than half a century ago, Loretta and Murray Dranoff set out to build their musical career as a two piano team. After a talent scout for a top New York concert agency heard them, Loretta and Murray became one of the most sought-after piano teams of their day. From 1946 to 1973, the Dranoffs performed as Steinway and Columbia artists.

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In 1973, Murray fell ill and the couple moved to South Florida. Murray died twelve years later.

During those years, Loretta worked in the Miami-Dade Public School system where she started the first multiple instrument programs and student recitals for the district superintendent.

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In loving memory of her husband Murray and their performance career, Loretta created the world's first international competition dedicated exclusively to duo pianism, held in Miami. Even though the world today is awash in piano competitions, the Dranoff is the only two-piano competition in the world to have membership in the prestigious World Federation of International Competitions in Geneva.

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Since 1987, The Dranoff International Two Piano Competition has been judged by world renowned pianists, pedagogues, music critics and journalists, and has introduced 64 brilliantly talented young pianists to concert audiences in Miami and across the globe.

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Besides its main aim of helping duo pianists build their careers, The Dranoff has also stimulated the growth of new two-piano music by commissioning major contemporary composers such as Morton Gould, John Corigliano and William Bolcom.

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In 2005, Loretta retired from active involvement with the foundation she created. She died on July 4, 2011. According to her daughters, Stephanie, Leonie and Caroline, Loretta left this world as she lived it - listening to the recordings of the two piano music of her beloved young musicians.

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