brilliant Spanish pianist; b. Barcelona, May 23 , 1923. Larrocha studied piano with Frank Marshall and theory with Ricardo Lamote de Grignon. She made her first public appearance at the age of five and was soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica of Madrid at the age of 11.

In 1940 Larrocha launched her career in earnest. She began making major tours of Europe in 1947 and appeared in the U.S. for the first time in 1955. In 1986 she was soloist at the London Promenade Concerts, and in 1989 she gave a recital at London's Barbican Hall. In 1995 she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival. She also served as director of the Marshall Academy in Barcelona from 1959.

Larrocha's interpretations of Spanish music have been widely praised for their authentic quality. She has also been praised for her excellent taste and exquisitely polished technique in classical works, particularly those of WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART.