American pianist Joseph Villa.
Born in New Jersey (1948), died of AIDs in Manhattan (1995).
Studied at the Julliard School, under Sascha Gorodnitzki. Privately with Claudio Arrau.
Debut in Alice Tully Hall, 1972. (At a 1977 performance in that venue, Harold Schonberg said Villa broke the line and played with a harsh tone.) Its possible that this may have dampened some momentum in his career.
Mostly unknown as solo pianist, heard frequently as a chamber musician, and collaborative pianist.
Googled, the returns are tributes by pianist Stephen Hough, and Mark Ainley. Both who had meet him or knew him and his incredible abilities.
Although I have yet to listen to his famous Rachmaninoff 2nd Sonata recording (live.) His Beethoven/ Liszt 5th Symphony (1989) speaks for itself. The full orchestral texture is not diluted, nor reduced by his technical palate. Exciting, fiery and a force to be felt.
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