Moura Lympany

About

Known for her last-minute mastery of Khachaturian's Piano Concerto in D-flat before its 1940 British premiere after pianist Clifford Curzon withdrew.

Before Fame

Her London debut in 1935 and her second-place finish at the 1938 Ysaÿe Piano Competition established her as a popular U.K. pianist.

Trivia

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1969. She would eventually have two mastectomies, with neither hindering her career and both only enhancing her popularity.

Family Life

Her mother was a piano teacher, and her father was an army officer and World War I veteran.

Associated With

Her participation in the Steinway Centenary Concert on October 19, 1953, was broadcast on Toast of the Town, Ed Sullivan's famous variety show.