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José Iturbi is a Actor Espagnol born on 28 november 1895 at Valencia (Espagne)

José Iturbi

José Iturbi
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Birth name José Iturbi Báguena
Nationality Espagne
Birth 28 november 1895 at Valencia (Espagne)
Death 28 june 1980 (at 84 years) at Los Angeles (USA)

José Iturbi Báguena (28 November 1895 – 28 June 1980) was a Spanish conductor, pianist and harpsichordist. He appeared in several Hollywood films of the 1940s, notably playing himself in the musicals, Thousands Cheer (1943), Anchors Aweigh (1945), and Three Daring Daughters (1948), his only leading role.

Biography

Born in Valencia, Spain, Iturbi showed a talent for classical music at an early age. While young, he began musical studies in his native Valencia. He later moved to Paris in order to proceed with his studies with Victor Staub at the Paris conservatory on a scholarship from the Diputació de Valencia. At this time, he also undertook studies in keyboard technique and interpretation with the harpsichordist Wanda Landowska. His worldwide concert tours, beginning around 1912, were very successful. He made his American debut in New York City in 1929.

Between 1911 and 1937, he was also the frequent accompanist to the Spanish violinist Manuel Quiroga on his international tours. On 8 June 1937, he had just said goodbye to Quiroga after a concert in New York when the violinist was hit by a truck in Times Square, which led to the premature end of his career.

Iturbi made his first appearance as a conductor in Mexico City in 1933 when presented by impresario Ernesto de Quesada from Conciertos Daniel. In April 1936, Iturbi was injured in the crash and sinking of Pan American Airways' Puerto Rican Clipper in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. After the incident, he said he would not be able to play "for some time", and "I may not be able to conduct again." Later that year, he was named conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in Rochester, New York, serving until 1944. He also led the Valencia Symphony Orchestra for many years. He often appeared in concert with his sister, Ámparo, also a renowned pianist. The liner notes to the two-record box set of Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (two-piano arrangements by José and Ámparo Iturbi) read: "Arranged by José and Ámparo Iturbi with the former conducting [the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra] as well as playing one of the two solo parts ... The arrangers use the two pianos to thicken resonances and to invigorate what was purely orchestral tissue with the bony brittleness of the piano. ... The Iturbis perform this spirited work in a brilliant virtuoso fashion ..." (RCA Victor WDM 1366 (2))

Iturbi was also a noted harpsichordist and made several short length instructional films using the re-emergent early 20th Century French Pleyel et Cie pedaled metal-framed harpsichord made famous by Wanda Landowska.





"I feel that classical music should be a more recognizable part of everyone's entertainment. It has been my hope that through live concerts, motion pictures, recordings, international competitions, and interesting public forums, a larger group of people will learn to love classical music and attend live concert performances".



—José Iturbi, 1950

He appeared as an actor-performer in several filmed musicals of the 1940s, beginning with 1943's Thousands Cheer for MGM and again in Three Daring Daughters in 1948, again playing himself, and starring along with Jeanette MacDonald. He usually appeared as himself in these films. He was later featured in MGM's Anchors Aweigh, which starred Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, as well as in several other MGM movies. In the biopic about Frédéric Chopin, A Song to Remember, Iturbi's playing was used in the soundtrack in scenes where Cornel Wilde, as Chopin, was playing the piano.

Best films

Anchors Aweigh (1945)
(Actor)

Usually with

Joe Pasternak
Joe Pasternak
(7 films)
June Allyson
June Allyson
(3 films)
Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly
(2 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of José Iturbi (7 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

That Midnight Kiss, 1h36
Directed by Norman Taurog
Origin USA
Genres Musical, Romance
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films
Actors Kathryn Grayson, Ethel Barrymore, José Iturbi, Keenan Wynn, J. Carrol Naish, Jules Munshin
Roles Himself
Rating64% 3.2457053.2457053.2457053.2457053.245705
In Philadelphia, Abigail Trent Budell (Ethel Barrymore), a wealthy resident of Philadelphia and patron of the arts, supports her soprano granddaughter Prudence Budell (Kathryn Grayson) just returning from Europe after five years of training. Her grandmother sponsors an opera company run by the famous maestro Jose Iturbi (himself) to give her chance to lead an opera. They hire the also famous tenor Guido Russino Betelli (Thomas Gomez), but Prudence does not feel comfortable with him on the stage. After Prudence accidentally sees an American-Italian truck driver Johnny Donnetti (Mario Lanza) singing opera, she is instrumental in bringing Johnny to public attention by insisting that he replace the opera troupe's defecting star tenor.
Three Daring Daughters, 1h55
Directed by Fred M. Wilcox
Origin USA
Genres Musical, Romance
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films
Actors Jeanette MacDonald, José Iturbi, Jane Powell, Edward Arnold, Harry Davenport, Ann E. Todd
Roles Himself (as Jose Iturbi)
Rating61% 3.097563.097563.097563.097563.09756
It's Tess' graduation day from "Miss Drakes School for Girls". During the choir's performance at the ceremony, Tess notices that her beautiful, divorcee mother, Louise Rayton Morgan isn't there. Louise, an editor for Modern Design Publication, is lying in Dr. Cannon's office from fainting due to being over-worked and stressed-out. At home after the graduation ceremony, Dr. Cannon has a talk with Louise's three daughters, Tess, Ilka and Alix. He tells them that their mother needs a vacation badly, but the only way she can relax is if she goes without the girls. The girls agree, but Louise is reluctant; however, the girls convince her to go. The girls see their mother off on her one month Cuban cruise. When the girls get home they discuss their mother, and believe if they bring their father back home it will make their mom happy and healthy again. In reality, Louise has kept the truth about their father from them. Their father was actually a very uncaring man, who left them and left Louise to raise the girls on her own. The girls go to see their father's boss, Robert Nelson to locate their father and bring him home. Meanwhile on Louise's Cuban cruise, she meets famed pianist and conductor, Jose Iturbi. Jose is immediately taken by Louise, but she plays hard to get, while having the time of her life. When Louise finally returns home, she has a secret to tell the girls, but, the girls have a secret too.
Holiday in Mexico, 2h8
Directed by George Sidney
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Musical theatre, Musical, Romance
Themes Musical films
Actors Walter Pidgeon, José Iturbi, Roddy McDowall, Ilona Massey, Jane Powell, King Baggot
Roles José Iturbi
Rating60% 3.049793.049793.049793.049793.04979
Jeffrey Evans (Walter Pidgeon), an American ambassador to Mexico, is the sole parent to his teenage daughter, Christine (Jane Powell). She finds fulfillment in managing her father's life and spending time with him. Her father forces her to attend a party where her childhood friend, Stanley Owen (Roddy McDowell), who has just turned sixteen, awaits her. In revenge she gives Stanley one of her father's expensive, brand-new tobacco pipes. Stanley, thinking that this gift was meant to show that he is finally a man, asks Christine to be "his girl", but she insists that she is too busy for that. Yvette Baranga (Helene Stanley), the daughter of the French ambassador, begs Christine if she can attend Jeffrey Evans' upcoming party. Christine agrees, unaware that Yvette has a crush on her father. When they return home, Christine asks her father to permit her to arrange the party, to which he agrees. The next day, Stanley comes to drive her to her errands. Christine apologizes for being rude to Stanley, and says he doesn't have to drive her, but he takes her to speak with Toni Karpathy (Ilona Massey), who agrees to sing at the party. Unbeknownst to Christine, Toni was once a love interest of her father.
Anchors Aweigh, 2h23
Directed by George Sidney
Origin USA
Genres War, Comedy, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Films about music and musicians, Transport films, Films about classical music and musicians, Musical films, United States Armed Forces in films
Actors Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Dean Stockwell, Pamela Britton, José Iturbi
Roles Himself
Rating69% 3.497623.497623.497623.497623.49762
Joe Brady and Clarence Doolittle are Navy sailors who have a four-day leave in Hollywood. Joe has his heart set on spending time with his girl, the unseen Lola. Clarence, the shy choir boy turned sailor, asks Joe to teach him how to get girls. Donald, a little boy who wants to join the navy, is found wandering around the boulevard by a cop, who takes him to the police station. Clarence and Joe end up being picked up by the cops to help convince Donald to go home. After the two sailors wait at home and entertain Donald, Donald's Aunt Susie arrives. Clarence is smitten with her from the beginning. Susan goes on to tell them that she has been trying to find work in music, and longs to perform with José Iturbi. Trying to make Susan impressed with Clarence, Joe tells her that Clarence is a personal friend of Iturbi, and that he has arranged an audition for Susan with him. That night, they go out to a cafe, where Clarence meets a girl from Brooklyn, and they hit it off. The next day, Joe visits Donald's school, and tells the kids the story of how he got his medal, and how he brought happiness to a lonesome king (played by Jerry Mouse of Tom and Jerry), and joy to the forest animals of the kingdom.
Two Girls and a Sailor, 2h4
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Origin USA
Genres War, Comedy, Musical theatre, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Political films
Actors June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Van Johnson, Tom Drake, Henry Stephenson, Henry O'Neill
Roles José Iturbi
Rating65% 3.293363.293363.293363.293363.29336
Two sisters, Jean and Patsy Deyo, are born into a vaudeville family, and when they grow up, start an act themselves. One night, they invite a bunch of servicemen to their apartment. They are both attracted to a sailor named Johnny. Jean points out to Johnny an unused nearby warehouse they wish they could make into a canteen to entertain the troops.
Music for Millions, 1h57
Directed by Henry Koster
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Musical
Themes Musical films
Actors Margaret O'Brien, José Iturbi, Jimmy Durante, June Allyson, Marsha Hunt, Hugh Herbert
Roles José Iturbi
Rating66% 3.342683.342683.342683.342683.34268
"Mike" (Margaret O'Brien), age 6, arrives in New York to stay with her pregnant older sister Barbara Ainsworth (June Allyson), who lives together with a group of young women, her co-players in a symphony orchestra. As the orchestra prepares to go on a tour of army camps, a telegram is received informing them of the death of Barbara's soldier husband. The girls decide to keep the tragic news from her until after her baby is born. The orchestra is shown playing several classical standards before various military audiences. The talented Iturbi variously conducts the group as well as effortlessly plays difficult piano pieces, while Durante sings comically and acts as a grandfather figure to Mike. In a surprise ending, just after giving birth, Barbara receives a letter from her husband saying he is in good spirits and convalescing in a military hospital.
Thousands Cheer, 2h5
Directed by George Sidney
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Musical theatre, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Military humor in film, Dance films, Films about music and musicians, Musical films
Actors Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Mary Astor, John Boles, Ben Blue, Frances Rafferty
Roles José Iturbi
Rating62% 3.100083.100083.100083.100083.10008
The film is essentially a two-part program. The first half consists of a romantic comedy storyline involving an aerialist, played by Gene Kelly, who is drafted into the US Army but really wants to join the air force. During training, he falls in love with Kathryn (played by Kathryn Grayson), the daughter of his commanding officer, who has similarly put her singing career on hold in order to serve by providing entertainment for the troops. Unusually for this type of a film (and for this era of Hollywood), the character Kathryn has only recently met her father for the first time since she was a baby, her parents having divorced. A related subplot has Kathryn conniving to get her parents (played by John Boles and Mary Astor) to reconcile. During the first part of the film, Grayson sings several numbers and Kelly performs one of his most famous routines, dancing with a mop as a partner.