He is considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He moved to the United States in 1941 and became an American citizen at the end of his life. However, he is considered a national hero in his native Chile, where he has had several streets named after him. His tours took him to every continent, and his concerts were truly exceptional events. Several of his records have won international awards. On his eightieth birthday he was awarded the Légion d’honneur. He also received the UNESCO Prize and was appointed Accademico di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Born in February 1903 in Chillan, he studied in Santiago, where he was awarded a scholarship, and then at the ‘Stern’ Conservatory in Berlin, at the school of Mr Krause. He taught at the same Conservatory between 1925 and 1940. In 1927 he won the Geneva Competition. He died in June 1991 in Mûrzzuschlag.