Art Ferrante of Pop Piano Duo Dies
Art Ferrante, a member of the popular piano duo Ferrante & Teicher, died last Saturday in his Florida home. He died at the age of 88 — perhaps one of life’s dark ironies, as 88 is also the number of keys on a traditional piano, the instrument around which Ferrante’s life was focused.
Born in Brooklyn in 1921, Ferrante attended Juilliard at a young age (along with Louis Teicher), and continued learning there throughout his childhood. He graduated from the music school in 1940 and later returned to teach in 1946 (as had Teicher).
Upon returning to Juilliard, Ferrante and Teicher immediately began working together. Two years later, the duo debuted at a concert in Manhattan, which marked the beginning of touring and performing together over the course of the next forty years.
Over time, the duo gravitated away from classical music to arranging popular music, specifically Broadway and film music. In fact, the duo became known as “The Movie Theme Team.” Tunes like “The Apartment,” “Exodus,” and “Midnight Cowboy” were some of their most popular works.
By 2001, Ferrante and Teicher had recorded over 150 albums, appeared more than 200 times on television, and performed over 5,200 concerts. Sadly, Teicher died last year at the age of 83.
Ferrante is survived by his wife, daughter, and two grandchildren.
[photo: Bish's Beat]
Tags: Art Ferrante, Ferrante & Teicher, Juilliard, Lou Teicher, piano duo, pop pianist, The Apartment
