Life expectancy in the classical period may have been low, but there are still many deaths of famous pianists who are particularly unusual. Let's take a look at some of them.
Considered one of england's greatest composers of all time, the composer often combined baroque styles with French and Italian influences.
At the age of 36, he died at the height of his career. It is widely believed that he died of tuberculosis, but since his death, there have been many rumors that he actually died after being locked out of the house by his wife, causing him to contract something similar to "chills" or pneumonia, which eventually led to his death.
Another, more unlikely theory is that he died of chocolate poisoning!
Charles Valentine Alcán (1813-1888)
Undoubtedly, the French composer and pianist has had a successful career, composing such famous works as the piano trio Op 30, grande Sonate Op 33 and Douze études dans tous leston mineurs Op 39.
However, there are still many questions about the cause of his death. Many claim the composer was crushed by a falling bookcase while reaching for something.
However, it was later confirmed that he was found trapped and crushed to death by a heavy umbrella frame. A letter from one of his students confirms this.
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Tchaikovsky is certainly one of the greatest Russian composers of all time. But his death was shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
A few days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony, he died at the age of 53. His death was attributed to cholera, most likely infected through unboiled drinking water. This cause of death surprised many, as cholera is usually a disease that is mainly affected by the lower classes. Hearing that Tchaikovsky apparently died of this disease, many people were incredulous.
Rumors soon began to circulate, and after complaining that "his concern for his nephew was disturbing," he was instead "ordered" by the court to commit suicide. Other rumors suggest that because of his sexual orientation, the Russian Tsar directly ordered him to commit suicide.
There is also a rumor that he died of arsenic poisoning.
Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
The much-loved Spanish composer has appeared many times in the pianist's score section, but what some of you may not know is that he suffered a very unfortunate and tragic death.
In 1916, he was invited to the United States to perform for U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. He missed the ship back to Spain, forcing him to switch to another ship to England. He then boarded a second cross-channel ferry to France. On the way to France, the ship was sunk by a German U-boat.
Part of the boat began to sink, and Granados' wife began to struggle in the water. According to witnesses, he drowned while drying to save her.
Anton Webern (1883-1945)
In September 1945, the Austrian composer and conductor returned home with his family. At this time, due to the ongoing war, Austria imposed a curfew.
Webern reportedly walked outside to enjoy cigars before curfew. In the house, Webbern's son is entertaining a group of American men for business reasons. Webern's son was involved in illegal black market activities and believed he was dealing with black market merchants.
However, when the Americans turned out to be American soldiers, things got worse. They then arrested Webern's son and then "accidentally" shot Ateborn himself as they left the house.
Claude Vivier (1948-1983)
© www.claudevivier.com
Vivier is a Canadian pianist who studied in Cologne with the famous German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. He created many works throughout his career, including his own opera Copernicus.
Vivier was an open homosexual throughout his career, and one of his last unpublished works depicts a fictitious relationship between two men, one of which stabs the other.
Gruesomely, the pianist was later stabbed to death in 1983 by a truquer (a Canadian "con artist" who pretended to accept romantic courtship for a chance to rob and/or hurt you).
A very coincidental and prophetic death.
Natalia Strelchenko (1976-2015)
©BBC
The Norwegian concert pianist enjoyed a successful career before his murder in 2015.
Strelchenko was educated at the highly respected St. Petersburg State Conservatory and has played at Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall to rave reviews.
The pianist was found dead in her home in Manchester on 30 August 2015, and a later autopsy confirmed she died of head and neck injuries. A year later, her husband, John Martin, was charged with murder.