Top 15 Greatest Pianists of All Time

As one of the most popular instruments in the world, the piano has been played by some truly great musicians over the years. Here are 15 of the greatest piano players of all time:

1. Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, his great Mass the Missa solemnis, and one opera, Fidelio. Ludwig van Beethoven composed some of the most important works of the Western musical canon, including nine symphonies; five piano concerti; one violin concerto; thirty-two piano sonatas; sixteen string quartets; his great Mass the Missa Solemnis; and one opera, Fidelio. His career spanned the transition from the classical to the romantic era in Western classical music, and his personal life was marked by a struggle against deafness.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s musical talent was evident early. At age five he began piano lessons with his father, who beat him mercilessly when the boy’s progress lagged.

In 1787, at age 17, he was appointed assistant Court Organist, and in 1789 he made his first public appearance as a pianist in a concert at Cologne. In November of that same year, he journeyed to Vienna, where he hoped to study with Mozart. Unfortunately, the great composer was not receptive to Beethoven’s request for lessons, and after a brief stay, the young man returned to Bonn.

The following year Ludwig van Beethoven’s father died, leaving him responsible for the support of his two younger brothers. In 1792 he again went to Vienna, this time determined to make a name for himself as a composer and performer. He quickly established himself as a leading piano virtuoso and composer of note, and in 1795 he published his first important work, the three piano sonatas known as Opus 1.

During the years 1803?7 Beethoven produced some of his most important works, including the Third Symphony (Eroica), Fifth Symphony, Sixth Symphony (Pastoral), Violin Concerto, and the opera Fidelio. Despite his increasing deafness, he continued to perform as a pianist and conductor, and in 1808 he gave a series of highly successful concerts at which his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies were premiered.

By 1812 Beethoven’s deafness had become so severe that he could no longer perform in public. He withdrew increasingly from social life, concentrating instead on composition. During these years he produced some of his greatest works, including the Ninth Symphony, Missa Solemnis, and the opera Fidelio.

Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 26, 1827, in Vienna. At the time of his death, he was working on a Tenth Symphony, which was left unfinished.

Despite his deafness and other personal problems, Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the most important figures in the history of Western music.

2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time. He was a prolific composer and wrote some of the most famous piano concertos and sonatas in history. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. His father, Leopold, was a successful violinist and composer who recognized his son’s musical talents early on. Mozart began composing music at the age of five and gave his first public performance when he was six years old.

Mozart’s family often toured Europe, giving him the opportunity to perform for many different audiences. In 1769, they visited Munich where he met another talented young musician, Johann Sebastian Bach. The two became friends and Bach had a great influence on Mozart’s compositions. In 1773, Mozart toured Europe again with his family, and this time they visited Italy. There he heard the music of Italian composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, which inspired him to write more operas.

Mozart moved to Vienna in 1781 where he became one of the city’s most popular musicians. He married Constanze Weber in 1782 and together they had six children, though only two survived to adulthood. Mozart continued to compose many famous works during his time in Vienna, including the opera The Marriage of Figaro and his last piano concerto, known as the Jupiter Symphony. He also began to work on his Requiem, a musical composition for the Mass which is considered one of his greatest achievements.

Mozart became ill in 1791 and died at the age of 35. The cause of his death is still unknown, though some theories suggest he may have had typhoid fever or kidney failure. Mozart’s lasting legacy is his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by people all over the world. His work has inspired other great composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Strauss II. Mozart’s life and work continue to be studied by scholars and music lovers alike, ensuring that his place in history as one of the greatest composers of all time is secure.

3. Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt was born in Hungary in 1811. He was a child prodigy and gave his first public piano performance at the age of nine. In 1823, he moved to Vienna to study with Antonio Salieri and Carl Czerny.

Liszt’s virtuosic abilities were widely recognized, and he quickly became one of the most celebrated pianists of his time. He toured extensively throughout Europe, performing for royalty and heads of state. He also composed some piano pieces that are still popular today, such as “Liebestraum” and “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.”

In the 1850s, Liszt began to tire of the traveling and performing life, and retired to Weimar, Germany, where he became a conductor and teacher. He also continued to compose music, including his most famous work, the “Piano Sonata in B minor.” Liszt died in 1886. During his lifetime, Franz Liszt was considered to be the greatest pianist in the world. His technical abilities and musical expression were unsurpassed. Today, he is still considered one of the greatest composers of the piano.

4. Frederic Chopin

Frédéric François Chopin, born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849), was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era who wrote primarily for solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown as a leading musician of his era, one whose “poetic genius was based on a professional technique that was without equal in his generation.”

Chopin was born in Żelazowa Wola, 46 kilometers (29 miles) west of Warsaw, in what was then the Duchy of Warsaw, a Polish state established by Napoleon. A renowned child-prodigy pianist and composer, he grew up in Warsaw and completed his music education there. In 1830, at 20 years of age, he settled in Paris. Thereafter, during the last 18 years of his life, Chopin gave only 30 public performances, preferring instead the more intimate atmosphere of the salon. He supported himself by selling his compositions and by teaching piano; many of his pupils were children of wealthy parents.

Chopin was considered a genius from an early age. His first composition, a polonaise in G minor for piano and strings, was published when he was seven years old. By the age of nine, he had written two piano sonatas and a set of variations on a march by Ernst Daniel Schuster. From then until 1828 he composed almost exclusively for the piano. His works include mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, études, impromptus, scherzos, preludes, and sonatas. Many of his works are widely regarded as among the greatest in the history of music.

Chopin invented new musical forms and pioneered new piano techniques. His innovations inspired other composers. Robert Schumann wrote that Chopin’s genius was “like a crystal reflecting the many-sided light of the romantic spirit.” Franz Liszt said: “We must carry off Chopin’s corpse… We cannot leave him to rot in foreign soil.” Fryderyk Chopin died in Paris on 17 October 1849 at the age of 39 from tuberculosis. According to his wish, his body was brought back to Poland and interred at Warsaw’s Holy Cross Church. In 1939, Frédéric Chopin’s remains were removed from their original tomb during the German occupation of Poland in World War II and were eventually reburied in 1949 in a different part of the same churchyard, under a slab bearing only his name.

5. Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a world-renowned pianist, composer, and conductor who was born in Russia in 1873. He began playing piano at the age of four and by the time he was nine, he had composed his first piano piece. Rachmaninoff went on to study at the Moscow Conservatory where he earned a reputation as a brilliant student and virtuoso performer.

Rachmaninoff’s professional career began after he graduated from the conservatory in 1892. He toured Russia and Europe as a solo pianist and also worked as a conductor for several Russian opera companies. In 1897, Rachmaninoff completed his first symphony which was met with mixed reviews. Despite the mixed reception, Rachmaninoff continued to compose and his works slowly began to gain popularity.

By the early 1900s, Rachmaninoff had established himself as one of the leading composers of his generation. His most famous works include the piano concertos Nos. 2 and 3, the Symphonic Dances, and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Rachmaninoff’s music is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and elaborate orchestration.

Rachmaninoff emigrated to the United States in 1918 and became a citizen in 1925. He continued to tour and perform throughout the 1920s and 1930s. In 1943 , Rachmaninoff completed his final composition, the Symphonic Dances. He died in Beverly Hills, California in 1943.

6. Arthur Rubinstein

Arthur Rubinstein was a Polish-American pianist who is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of all time. He was born in Łódź, Poland, in 1887 and began playing the piano at the age of four. He made his concert debut at age eight and gave his first public performance in Berlin at age eleven.

Rubinstein immigrated to the United States in 1906 and became a naturalized citizen in 1918. He made his American debut in 1907 and quickly established himself as one of the country’s leading pianists. He toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe and recorded for several different labels.

Rubinstein retired from public performance in 1976 but continued to give master classes and occasional concerts until his death in 1982.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978. Arthur Rubinstein is widely considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time.

7. Vladimir Horowitz

Vladimir Horowitz was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1904, and began studying piano at a young age. Horowitz made his concert debut in 1912, and quickly gained notoriety for his prodigious talent. He toured Europe and the United States during the 1920s and became one of the most celebrated pianists in the world.

Horowitz made his first recordings in 1928, and they were met with critical acclaim. He continued to record throughout his career, and many of his recordings are considered classics today. Horowitz also composed several pieces for piano, including “Variations on a Theme by Chopin” and “Toccata.”

In 1933, Horowitz moved to the United States and became a citizen in 1940. He continued to perform and tour throughout his life and gave his last public performance in 1987. Horowitz died in 1989, at the age of 85.

8. Glenn Gould

Glenn Gould was a Canadian pianist who became one of the most celebrated classical musicians of the 20th century. He was known for his interpretations of Bach’s piano music and for his innovative technique, which emphasized rhythmic freedom and flexibility.

Gould began piano lessons at an early age and made his public debut as a pianist at the age of 13. He went on to study at the Toronto Conservatory of Music, where he earned his diploma in 1942. After graduation, Gould embarked on a successful performing career, appearing with major orchestras around the world.

In 1955, Gould made his first recording of Bach’s ” Goldberg Variations.” This recording helped to launch his international career and established him as one of the leading interpreters of Bach’s music.

Gould’s eccentricities and reclusive lifestyle attracted much public attention. He was known for his unconventional clothing, often wearing a cape or scarf during performances. He also took long breaks from performing, during which he devoted himself to other interests such as writing, painting, and gardening.

In the 1970s, Gould began to experience health problems, including arthritis and depression. He retired from public performances in 1977 but continued to record music until his death in 1982.

Gould’s legacy as a pianist and composer continues to influence musicians today.

9. Alfred Brendel

Alfred Brendel is a world-renowned classical pianist, born in Austria in 1931. Brendel’s musical talents were evident from a young age; he gave his first public piano recital at the age of 10 and went on to study piano and composition at the Vienna Conservatory.

Brendel has had an illustrious career, performing with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conducting several albums of his own recordings. He has also been a prolific writer on music, publishing several books on music history and criticism. In 1999, Brendel was made a Knight of the British Empire for his contributions to music.

Brendel continues to perform and give lectures around the world. He remains one of the most respected and revered classical pianists of our time.

10. Maurizio Pollini

Maurizio Pollini is one of the most celebrated pianists of our time. He was born in Milan, Italy in 1942, and began playing piano at the age of five. His father, Michele, was also a successful pianist, and his mother was a noted music scholar. Maurizio made his public debut at age eleven and quickly rose to prominence as a young virtuoso. In 1960, he won first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.

Since then, Pollini has enjoyed a hugely successful career, performing with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. He has recorded over fifty albums, many of which have won prestigious awards. He is also a dedicated champion of contemporary music, and has commissioned, premiered, and recorded works by a number of major composers. In 2002, he was awarded the Polar Music Prize “in recognition of his supreme artistry.”

Pollini is widely respected not only for his exceptional musicianship but also for his integrity and commitment to music as a profound expression of human feeling. He continues to perform and record to great acclaim and remains an inspiration to pianists and music lovers around the world.

11. Yundi Li

Yundi Li (born October 7, 1982) is a Chinese classical pianist. He is known for his recordings of Chopin’s works and for being the youngest person to win the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition when he was 18.

Li was born in Chongqing, China. His father was a professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music and his mother was a piano teacher. When he was five years old, Li began studying piano with his mother. At age 10, he entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where he studied with Zhao Pingguo. In 2000, he won first prize at the Tchaikovsky International Young Musicians Competition in Japan.

The following year, Li won the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition, becoming the first Chinese pianist to do so. He has since released several recordings of Chopin’s works, including an album of 24 Preludes, Op. 28 and 24 Etudes, Op. 10 and 25.

Li has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. In 2006, he made his debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has been a faculty member of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts since 2009.

Li currently resides in Beijing with his wife and two daughters.

12. Daniil Trifonov

Daniil Trifonov is a Russian-born pianist who has been making waves in the classical music world since he was a child. He started playing piano when he was just five years old, and by the time he was 10, he had already won the Moscow International Piano Competition.

Trifonov has gone on to have an illustrious career, winning many more competitions and performing with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras. He has also released several critically acclaimed albums, cementing his place as one of the greatest pianists of our time.

If you’re a fan of classical music, or even if you’re just curious to learn more about this talented young man, read on for a look at the life and career of Daniil Trifonov.

Daniil Trifonov was born in 1991 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. His parents were both musicians, so it’s perhaps no surprise that he showed an aptitude for music at a young age. When he was just five years old, he started taking piano lessons from his mother.

Trifonov quickly began showing signs of being a prodigious talent. When he was 10 years old, he won the Moscow International Piano Competition, becoming the youngest ever contestant to do so. This victory launched him into the spotlight and put him on the path to a successful career as a concert pianist.

Since winning that first competition, Trifonov has gone on to achieve great things. In 2011, he won the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, becoming the first Russian pianist to do so in over 60 years.

Trifonov has also performed with some of the world’s most eminent orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has given recitals in some of the most prestigious concert halls around the world, such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall.

In addition to his concert work, Trifonov has also released several highly acclaimed albums. His debut album, entitled “Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2/Preludes”, was released in 2012 to great critical acclaim. His second album, “Transcendental”, was released in 2014 and won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo.

Trifonov is still relatively young, but he has already accomplished a great deal in his short career. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest pianists of our time, and there is no doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him.

13. Evgeny Kissin

Evgeny Kissin is a Russian classical pianist who began playing the piano at the age of three. He gave his first public performance at the age of five and went on to tour the world as a solo artist. He has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumentalist.

Kissin was born in Moscow in 1971. His father, Mikhail Kissin, was a Soviet Army colonel, and his mother, Anna Pavlovna Zakharova, was a housewife. Kissin began playing the piano at home when he was three years old; his parents had no musical training or background. When he was five years old, he gave his first public performance at a school concert. Kissin made his international debut in 1984, when he toured the United States and Europe. He has since given concerts in more than 40 countries. He has won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumentalist.

In addition to his solo career, Kissin has also worked as a conductor and a chamber musician. He is a member of the board of directors of the Russian Musical Society. He has been awarded the Order of Friendship, the Order of Honour, and the Order of Merit for his contributions to music.

14. Lang Lang

Lang Lang is a Chinese concert pianist who has performed with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States, and Asia. He has been hailed as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” and “the prince of the piano”.

Lang Lang was born in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, on 2nd December 1982. His father, Lang Guoren, is a member of the Shenyang Opera Company, and his mother, Zhu Ying, is a schoolteacher. Lang Lang began playing the piano at the age of three and gave his first public performance at five. At nine he entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing to study piano with Professor Zhao Pingguo. In 1997 he won second prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Japan.

Lang Lang made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in December 2000 and his European debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London in February 2001. His first recording, of works by Frédéric Chopin, was released in 2002. Since then he has recorded a number of albums, including The Mozart Album (2005), Bach: Goldberg Variations (2007), and Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 (2010). He has also appeared as a soloist on soundtracks for films such as Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) and Red Cliff (2008).

Lang Lang is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and a cultural ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. In 2008 he was appointed InternationalGoodwill Ambassador for the Chinese Ministry of Culture. He has also been named a “Messenger of Peace” by UNESCO.

Lang Lang is one of the most popular classical musicians in the world today. His performances are noted for their technical mastery, showmanship, and stage presence. He has been credited with helping to make classical music more popular with young people.

15. Maria João Pires

Maria João Pires is a world-renowned Portuguese piano player. She was born in Lisbon in 1944 and started playing the piano at the age of three. She quickly showed great talent and went on to study at the conservatory in Lisbon. After winning several competitions, she made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1968.

Pires has gone on to have a hugely successful career, performing with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and conducting masterclasses around the world. She is considered one of the greatest living pianists, and her recordings have won numerous awards. In 2012, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Gramophone magazine. Pires has always been a passionate advocate for music education. In 2001, she founded the Maria João Pires Foundation, which provides piano lessons to disadvantaged children in Portugal. She also regularly gives free concerts in schools and community centers.

Maria João Pires is one of the most celebrated pianists of our time. She has had a hugely successful career, performing with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and conducting masterclasses around the world. Her passion for music education has led her to found the Maria João Pires Foundation, which provides piano lessons to disadvantaged children in Portugal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNlW-TOkZ2Y

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