Barer Simon (1896-1951)

Barer Simon (20.08(01.09).1896, Odessa – 02.04.1951, New York) – pianist.

At the age of 11, Simon Barer worked as a silent film accompanist and played in restaurants. He studied at the Music School of the Odessa Branch of the Imperial Russian Musical Society.

From 1912 to 1919, he studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory under A. Yesipova and later F. Blumenfeld, graduating with distinction.

Simon Barer possessed natural virtuoso technique, often compared to Franz Liszt and Anton Rubinstein. Alongside his concert career, he taught at the Kyiv Conservatory, where he was a professor.

Life and Career Abroad

In 1928, as a cultural attaché for Russia in the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, he moved to Riga, where he continued performing.

In 1930, he married Elena Vlasek, a Riga native and fellow student from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.

In 1932, he moved with his wife and son to Berlin. Due to political events in Germany, he was forced to relocate to Sweden in 1933.

In 1934, he gave a successful performance in London with the Symphony Orchestra conducted by T. Beecham.

In 1936, Simon Barer emigrated to the United States, making his Carnegie Hall debut on 9 November 1936.

He toured extensively across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Europe.

Simon Barer made numerous recordings with HMV Studios.

Simon Barer died suddenly while performing Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto at Carnegie Hall.

Literature:

  • [Concert Review] // Сегодня вечером. 1930. № 233.