On Friday I write on post on the importance of role models and lamented the fact that many young musicians today often can't name even one of the "greats" in their fields. I've decided to dedicate a few posts to listing some of the greatest musicians this world has seen. Today will be focusing masters of the piano. I've taken my favorites and some other pianist friend's favorites and come up with the following list of 30 pianists that every pianist should know. Click on the highlighted links to see some great performances by these geniuses.
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Russian pianist that is most well known as a composer of fantastic piano music. However, he was a incredible pianist himself and was considered one of the finest of his day. We are very fortunate that recordings still exist of him performing his own compositions and others.
Artur Schnabel (1882-1951) Austrian Pianist most known for his playing of Beethoven and Schubert
Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) Polish American pianists that was considered by many to be the greatest Chopin interpreter of his time.
Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991) German pianist known for his interpretation of Beethoven and Schubert
Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) Russian-born American pianist who is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century with an extremely extensive repertoire. Chopin Ballade in g minor.
Claudio Arrau (1903-1991) Chilean pianist known for his weighty, expressive playing. Liszt Ballad No. 2
Clifford Curzon (1907-1982) British especially well known for his playing of Mozart and Schubert
Gyorgy Sandor (1912-2005) Hungarian pianist known for his performance of Bartok's works
Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) Russian pianist with a vast repertoire that was considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He was also an active collaborative pianist. Prokofiev's Sonata no. 2
Moura Lympany (1916-2005) British female concert pianist and Steinway artist. Chopin Nocturne No. 8
Geza Anda (1921-1976) Hungarian pianist especially noted for his playing of Mozart
Regina Smendzianka (1924-2011) Polish concert pianist known for her interpretation of Chopin
Alfred Brendel (1931-) Austrian pianist known as a major interpreter of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert
Glenn Gould (1932-1982) Eccentric Canadian pianist best known for his playing of Bach
Van Cliburn (1934-2013) Possibly the most famous American pianist for whom the famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is named. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto
Vladimir Ashkenazy (1937-) Russian-born Icelandic pianist and conductor. Here he is performing and conducting Mozart's Piano Concerto in A.
Martha Argerich (1941-) Argentine pianist considered to be one of the greatest in the second half of the 20th century. She is also an active collaborative pianist. Prokofiev Concerto no. 3
Daniel Barenboim (1942-) Israeli Argentine-born conductor, pianist, and extremely active collaborative pianist. Here he is in all three roles performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto with Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma.
Maurizio Pollini (1942-) Italian pianist whose recording of the Chopin Etudes won international acclaim.
Richard Goode (1943-) American pianists known for his interpretation of Beethoven Sonatas and chamber works.
Nelson Friere (1944-) Brazilian pianist known for inspiring concerto performances and Chopin interpretation
Mitsuko Uchida (1948-) Japanese pianist known for her interpretation of Mozart. She has also recently conducted major orchestras.
Krystian Zimerman (1956-) Polish pianist known for his performances of romantic piano concertos
Stephen Hough (1961-) British pianist and composer whose playing exhibits great virtuosity. Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Emile Naomouff (1962-) French pianist and last disciple of the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger. Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition
Evgeny Kissin (1971-) Russian pianist known for his interpretation of Romantic piano works. Rachmaninov Prelude in g minor
Arcadi Volodos (1972-) Russian pianist and conductor. Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2
Valentina Lisitsa (1973-) Ukrainian pianist who achieved much of her fame through social media. Chopin "Winter Wind' Etude
Lang Lang (1982-) Chinese pianist with amazing virtuosity and a great promoter of classical music. Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Helene Grimaud (1969-) French pianist known for her incredible concerto interpretations. Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Did I leave out any of your favorites? Please comment with your favorites and add a link to one of their performances if possible. Happy Listening!
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Russian pianist that is most well known as a composer of fantastic piano music. However, he was a incredible pianist himself and was considered one of the finest of his day. We are very fortunate that recordings still exist of him performing his own compositions and others.
Artur Schnabel (1882-1951) Austrian Pianist most known for his playing of Beethoven and Schubert
Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) Polish American pianists that was considered by many to be the greatest Chopin interpreter of his time.
Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991) German pianist known for his interpretation of Beethoven and Schubert
Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) Russian-born American pianist who is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century with an extremely extensive repertoire. Chopin Ballade in g minor.
Claudio Arrau (1903-1991) Chilean pianist known for his weighty, expressive playing. Liszt Ballad No. 2
Clifford Curzon (1907-1982) British especially well known for his playing of Mozart and Schubert
Gyorgy Sandor (1912-2005) Hungarian pianist known for his performance of Bartok's works
Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) Russian pianist with a vast repertoire that was considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He was also an active collaborative pianist. Prokofiev's Sonata no. 2
Moura Lympany (1916-2005) British female concert pianist and Steinway artist. Chopin Nocturne No. 8
Geza Anda (1921-1976) Hungarian pianist especially noted for his playing of Mozart
Regina Smendzianka (1924-2011) Polish concert pianist known for her interpretation of Chopin
Alfred Brendel (1931-) Austrian pianist known as a major interpreter of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert
Glenn Gould (1932-1982) Eccentric Canadian pianist best known for his playing of Bach
Van Cliburn (1934-2013) Possibly the most famous American pianist for whom the famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is named. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto
Vladimir Ashkenazy (1937-) Russian-born Icelandic pianist and conductor. Here he is performing and conducting Mozart's Piano Concerto in A.
Martha Argerich (1941-) Argentine pianist considered to be one of the greatest in the second half of the 20th century. She is also an active collaborative pianist. Prokofiev Concerto no. 3
Daniel Barenboim (1942-) Israeli Argentine-born conductor, pianist, and extremely active collaborative pianist. Here he is in all three roles performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto with Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma.
Maurizio Pollini (1942-) Italian pianist whose recording of the Chopin Etudes won international acclaim.
Richard Goode (1943-) American pianists known for his interpretation of Beethoven Sonatas and chamber works.
Nelson Friere (1944-) Brazilian pianist known for inspiring concerto performances and Chopin interpretation
Mitsuko Uchida (1948-) Japanese pianist known for her interpretation of Mozart. She has also recently conducted major orchestras.
Krystian Zimerman (1956-) Polish pianist known for his performances of romantic piano concertos
Stephen Hough (1961-) British pianist and composer whose playing exhibits great virtuosity. Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Emile Naomouff (1962-) French pianist and last disciple of the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger. Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition
Evgeny Kissin (1971-) Russian pianist known for his interpretation of Romantic piano works. Rachmaninov Prelude in g minor
Arcadi Volodos (1972-) Russian pianist and conductor. Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2
Valentina Lisitsa (1973-) Ukrainian pianist who achieved much of her fame through social media. Chopin "Winter Wind' Etude
Lang Lang (1982-) Chinese pianist with amazing virtuosity and a great promoter of classical music. Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Helene Grimaud (1969-) French pianist known for her incredible concerto interpretations. Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Did I leave out any of your favorites? Please comment with your favorites and add a link to one of their performances if possible. Happy Listening!