Conductor and Pianist Enrique Bátiz has Died, Aged 82

Bátiz led the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as making over 145 recordings

The Mexican conductor and pianist Enrique Bátiz has passed away at the age of 82.

Bátiz first began learning the piano at the age of eight, and went on to spend two years studying the instrument at Southern Methodist University — before going on to the Juilliard School, where he also trained as a conductor.

Upon graduation, he made several national tours giving piano recitals and achieved success in competitions — including reaching the semifinals of the Marguerite Long International Piano Competition in Paris in 1965 and the finals of the 1970 Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy.

Bátiz made his conducting debut with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1969. His first permanent post was founding conductor of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (OSEM), which he led from 1971 to 1983. He then departed to spend six years leading the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra. During this time, he also appeared regularly in London as guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A prolific recording artist, Bátiz featured on more than 145 discs on labels such as EMI International, ASV Records, Musical Heritage Society, Naxos, Pickwick, and RPO Records. Some of these were world premiere recordings, for instance that of the Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras.

"We were saddened to learn of the death of Mexican conductor Enrique Bátiz yesterday," wrote the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a statement. "He was Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for several years from 1984, and made over forty recordings with us during his tenure."