The Art of the Piano

The Greatest Pianists in History: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The world of classical piano is rich with legendary figures whose interpretations, techniques, and teaching legacies continue to inspire generations of musicians. From the virtuoso fireworks of Franz Liszt's students, the polished elegance of French school pianists, the arguably most influential Polish school to the Russian piano school, outstanding musicians have altered the history of piano performance. This page delves into some of the most prominent and interesting pianists, including their origins and educational lineages.

This list should serve as a valuable instructional resource for musicians as well as a crucial reference for individuals interested in, studying or researching the historical effect of piano performances. The combined work of these pianists is the base of what we call the performance layer of music. This layer is of utmost importance as this layer translates the emotional content of the composed music and is what our brain ultimately decodes. Over the last decades and centuries, the talent, work and influence of the pianists in this directory created what we call nowadays "interpretation" of classical music.

Legendary Pianists and Their Legacies

Below is a detailed account of some of history's finest pianists, including their nationalities, birthplaces, major mentors, and notable contributions.

1. Géza Anda (1921–1976, Hungarian-Swiss)

Born in: Budapest, Hungary
Died in: Zurich, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Imre Stefaniai, Imre Keéri-Szántó, Ernst von Dohnányi
Notable for: Mastery of Mozart and Bartók, exceptional clarity and phrasing

2. Claudio Arrau (1903–1991, Chilean)

Born in: Chillán, Chile
Died in: Mürzzuschlag, Austria
Teacher relations: Martin Krause (student of Liszt)
Notable for: Profound interpretations of Beethoven, Liszt, and Brahms; remarkable longevity and artistry

3. Vladimir Ashkenazy (b. 1937, Russian-Icelandic)

Born in: Gorky, Russia
Teacher relations: Anaida Sumbatyan, Lev Oborin, Boris Zemliansky
Notable for: Mastery of Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Chopin; extensive recording legacy

4. Stefan Askenase (1896–1985, Polish-Belgian)

Born in: Lwów, Ukraine (formerly Poland)
Died in: Bonn, Germany
Teacher relations: Theodor Pollak, Emil von Sauer, Joseph Marx
Notable for: Distinguished Chopin interpreter; mentor to Martha Argerich

5. Gina Bachauer (1913–1976, Greek)

Born in: Athens, Greece
Died in: Athens, Greece
Teacher relations: Woldemar Freeman, Alfred Cortot, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Notable for: Romantic and powerful interpretations, especially of Rachmaninoff and Liszt

6. Wilhelm Backhaus (1884–1969, German-Swiss)

Born in: Leipzig, Germany
Died in: Villach, Austria
Teacher relations: Alois Reckendorf, Eugen d'Albert, Salomon Jadassohn (composition)
Notable for: First pianist to record a complete Beethoven sonata cycle; precision and clarity in Beethoven and Brahms

7. Paul Badura-Skoda (1927–2019, Austrian)

Born in: Vienna, Austria
Died in: Vienna, Austria
Teacher relations: Viola Thern, Otto Schulhof, Edwin Fischer
Notable for: Renowned for historically informed performances of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert

8. Simon Barere (1896–1951, Russian)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Anna Yesipova, Felix Blumenfeld
Notable for: Astonishing virtuosity; fiery interpretations of Liszt and Rachmaninoff

9. Lazar Berman (1930–2005, Russian)

Born in: Leningrad, Russia
Died in: Florence, Italy
Teacher relations: Samariy Savshinsky, Aleksandr Goldenweiser, Vladimir Sofronitzky
Notable for: Monumental interpretations of Liszt and Rachmaninoff; powerful, deeply expressive playing

10. Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990, American)

Born in: Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Helen Coates
Notable for: Multi-talented conductor, composer, and pianist; known for bridging classical and popular music

11. Idil Biret (b. 1941, Turkish)

Born in: Ankara, Turkey
Teacher relations: Nadia Boulanger, Alfred Cortot, Wilhelm Kempff
Notable for: Extensive recordings of Chopin and Beethoven; technical brilliance and depth of interpretation

12. Nadia Boulanger (1887–1979, French)

Born in: Paris, France
Died in: Paris, France
Teacher relations: Louis Vierne, Alexandre Guilmant, Gabriel Fauré
Notable for: Legendary pedagogue, teacher of Philip Glass, Astor Piazzolla, and Quincy Jones

13. Alexander Brailowsky (1896–1976, French-Russian)

Born in: Kiev, Ukraine
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Vladimir Puchalsky, Theodor Leschetizky, Ferruccio Busoni, Francis Planté
Notable for: First pianist to perform Chopin’s complete works in concert cycles; fluent and elegant style

14. Ferruccio Busoni (1866–1924, Italian)

Born in: Empoli, Italy
Died in: Berlin, Germany
Teacher relations: Wilhelm Mayer, Carl Reinecke
Notable for: Composer-pianist, radical transcriptions, and innovative approach to Bach and Liszt

15. Robert Casadesus (1899–1972, French)

Born in: Paris, France
Died in: Paris, France
Teacher relations: Louis Diémer, Lucien Capet
Notable for: Distinguished French pianist, particularly in Mozart and Ravel; refined and precise playing

16. Shura Cherkassky (1909–1995, Ukrainian-American)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Lydia Cherkassky, Josef Hofmann
Notable for: Unique, improvisatory style; celebrated for his interpretations of Chopin and Rachmaninoff

17. Van Cliburn (1934–2013, American)

Born in: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Died in: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Teacher relations: Rosina Lhévinne
Notable for: First American to win the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1958); iconic interpretations of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky

18. Alfred Cortot (1877–1962, French-Swiss)

Born in: Nyon, Switzerland
Died in: Lausanne, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Émile Decombes, Louis Diémer
Notable for: Lyrical interpretations of Chopin and Schumann; renowned teacher and editor of piano music

19. Clifford Curzon (1907–1982, English)

Born in: Islington, London, England
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Charles Reddie, Artur Schnabel, Wanda Landowska, Nadia Boulanger
Notable for: Deeply poetic interpretations of Mozart, Schubert, and Brahms

20. Halina Czerny-Stefańska (1922–2001, Polish)

Born in: Kraków, Poland
Died in: Kraków, Poland
Teacher relations: Alfred Cortot, Józef Turczyński, Zbigniew Drzewiecki
Notable for: Winner of the 1949 International Chopin Competition; known for her classical Chopin interpretations

21. György Cziffra (1921–1994, Hungarian-French)

Born in: Budapest, Hungary
Died in: Longpont-sur-Orge, France
Teacher relations: István Thomán, Ernő Dohnányi
Notable for: Virtuosic Liszt interpretations, dazzling technique, and improvisational style

22. Eugen d'Albert (1864–1932, Scottish-German)

Born in: Glasgow, Scotland
Died in: Riga, Latvia
Teacher relations: Franz Liszt, Ernst Pauer, Ebenezer Prout, John Stainer, Arthur Sullivan
Notable for: Highly expressive and powerful playing; influential in German piano tradition

23. Vladimir de Pachmann (1848–1933, Russian)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: Rome, Italy
Teacher relations: Josef Dachs, Anton Bruckner
Notable for: One of the greatest Chopin interpreters; eccentric performance style

24. Ginette Doyen (1921–2002, French)

Born in: Paris, France
Died in: Calvados, France
Teacher relations: Lazare Lévy
Notable for: Elegant and refined playing, specializing in French repertoire

25. Zbigniew Drzewiecki (1890–1971, Polish)

Born in: Warsaw, Poland
Died in: Warsaw, Poland
Teacher relations: Feliks Konopasek, Włodzimierz Oberfelt, Robert Becker, Ignacy Pilecki (music theory), Carl Prohaska, Paul de Conne, Heinrich Janoch, Marie Prentner, Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Notable for: Eminent Polish pedagogue; taught many top Chopin specialists

26. Edith Farnadi (1921–1973, Hungarian)

Born in: Budapest, Hungary
Died in: Graz, Austria
Teacher relations: Arnold Székely
Notable for: Brilliant interpretations of Liszt; technical command and musical sensitivity

27. Marian Filar (1917–2012, Polish-American)

Born in: Warsaw, Poland
Died in: Wyncote, Pennsylvania, United States
Teacher relations: Zbigniew Drzewiecki
Notable for: Resilient artist and Holocaust survivor; exceptional Chopin and Romantic repertoire

28. Annie Fischer (1914–1995, Hungarian)

Born in: Budapest, Hungary
Died in: Budapest, Hungary
Teacher relations: Ernő Dohnányi, Arnold Székely
Notable for: Deeply expressive and poetic interpretations of Beethoven and Schubert

29. Samson François (1924–1970, French)

Born in: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Died in: Paris, France
Teacher relations: Pietro Mascagni, Cyril Licar, Yvonne Lefébure, Nadia Boulanger, Alfred Cortot
Notable for: Brilliant and charismatic pianist; legendary interpretations of Chopin, Debussy, and Ravel

30. Peter Frankl (b. 1935, Hungarian-British)

Born in: Budapest, Hungary
Teacher relations: Lajos Hernádi, Zoltán Kodály, Leó Weiner
Notable for: Expert in chamber music and solo repertoire; refined artistry in Schumann and Brahms

31. Ignacy Friedman (1882–1948, Polish)

Born in: Kraków, Poland
Died in: Sydney, Australia
Teacher relations: Hugo Riemann, Theodor Leschetizky, Ferruccio Busoni
Notable for: Romantic and highly expressive Chopin interpretations; masterful technique

32. Orazio Frugoni (1921–1997, Italian)

Born in: Davos, Switzerland
Died in: Davos, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Alfredo Casella, Dinu Lipatti
Notable for: Wide-ranging repertoire and refined technique

33. Ossip Gabrilowitsch (1878–1936, Russian-American)

Born in: St. Petersburg, Russia
Died in: Detroit, United States
Teacher relations: Anton Rubinstein, Anatoli Lyadov, Alexander Glazunov, Nikolai Medtner, Theodor Leschetizky
Notable for: Romantic interpretations and influential conductor-pianist career

34. Walter Gieseking (1895–1956, German)

Born in: Lyon, France
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Karl Leimer
Notable for: Master of Impressionist music, particularly Debussy and Ravel

35. Emil Gilels (1916–1985, Russian)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Yakov Tkach, Bertha Reingbald, Heinrich Neuhaus
Notable for: Monumental Beethoven and Russian repertoire interpretations

36. Leopold Godowsky (1870–1938, Russian/Polish/Lithuanian-American)

Born in: Žasliai, Lithuania
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Self-taught, Ernst Rudorff
Notable for: Extraordinary left-hand compositions and transcriptions; legendary technique

37. Robert Goldsand (1911–1991, Austrian-American)

Born in: Vienna, Austria
Died in: Danbury, Connecticut, United States
Teacher relations: Camella Horn, Joseph Marx, Emil von Sauer, Moriz Rosenthal
Notable for: Versatile and expressive performer with a broad repertoire

38. Vera Gornostaeva (1929–2015, Russian)

Born in: Moscow, Russia
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Heinrich Neuhaus
Notable for: Renowned teacher and interpreter of Russian composers

39. Glenn Gould (1932–1982, Canadian)

Born in: Toronto, Canada
Died in: Toronto, Canada
Teacher relations: Alberto Guerrero, Frederick C. Silvester (Organ), Leo Smith (music theory)
Notable for: Iconic Bach interpretations, eccentric and highly individualistic playing style

40. Maria Grinberg (1908–1978, Russian)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: Tallinn, Estonia
Teacher relations: David Aisberg, Felix Blumenfeld, Konstantin Igumnov
Notable for: Deeply expressive interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms

41. Friedrich Gulda (1930–2000, Austrian)

Born in: Vienna, Austria
Died in: Steinbach am Attersee, Austria
Teacher relations: Felix Pazofsky, Bruno Seidlhofer, Joseph Marx
Notable for: Brilliant interpretations of Beethoven; fusion of jazz and classical music

42. Mark Hambourg (1879–1960, Russian-British)

Born in: Boguchar, Russia
Died in: Cambridge, England
Teacher relations: Michael Hambourg, Theodor Leschetizky
Notable for: Virtuosic Romantic pianist; one of the first to record piano extensively

43. Adam Harasiewicz (b. 1932, Polish)

Born in: Chodzież, Poland
Teacher relations: Kazimierz Mirski, Janina Illasiewicz-Stojałowska, Zbigniew Drzewiecki, Artur Rubinstein, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Notable for: 1955 Chopin Competition winner; renowned for his expressive Chopin interpretations

44. Myra Hess (1890–1965, British)

Born in: South Hampstead, England
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Julia Pascal, Orlando Morgan, Tobias Matthay
Notable for: Elegant Mozart and Beethoven interpretations; famous wartime concert series in London

45. Barbara Hesse-Bukowska (1930–2013, Polish)

Born in: Łódź, Poland
Died in: Warsaw, Poland
Teacher relations: Czesław Aniołkiewicz, Maria Glińska-Wąsowska, Margerita Trombini-Kazuro, Maria Wiłkomirska, Artur Rubinstein
Notable for: One of Poland’s finest Chopin interpreters; acclaimed for her poetic playing

46. Josef Hofmann (1876–1957, Polish-American)

Born in: Kraków, Poland
Died in: Los Angeles, United States
Teacher relations: Moritz Moszkowski, Heinrich Urban, Eugen d’Albert, Anton Rubinstein
Notable for: Virtuoso pianist with legendary technique and musical intellect

47. Vladimir Horowitz (1903–1989, Russian-American)

Born in: Kiev, Ukraine
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Vladimir Puchalsky, Sergei Tarnowsky, Felix Blumenfeld
Notable for: Unparalleled virtuosity, electrifying performances of Rachmaninoff and Liszt

48. Mieczysław Horszowski (1892–1993, Polish-American)

Born in: Lwów, Ukraine (then Poland)
Died in: Philadelphia, United States
Teacher relations: Henryk Melcer-Szczawiński, Mieczysław Sołtys, Theodor Leschetizky
Notable for: Exceptionally long career; profound interpretations of Bach and Beethoven

49. Julian von Károlyi (1914–1993, German-Hungarian)

Born in: Lučenec, Slovakia
Died in: Munich, Germany
Teacher relations: Margit Varró, Joseph Pembaur, Max von Pauer, Alfred Cortot, Ernst von Dohnányi
Notable for: Expressive Romantic pianist, particularly in Liszt and Chopin

50. Leon Kartun (1895–1981, French)

Born in: Paris, France
Died in: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Teacher relations: Louis Diémer
Notable for: Precision and elegance in French repertoire

51. Wilhelm Kempff (1895–1991, German)

Born in: Jüterbog, Germany
Died in: Positano, Italy
Teacher relations: Karl Heinrich Barth, Robert Kahn
Notable for: Renowned interpreter of Beethoven and Schubert; poetic and lyrical playing style

52. Raoul von Koczalski (1885–1948, Polish)

Born in: Warsaw, Poland
Died in: Poznań, Poland
Teacher relations: Julian Gadomski, Henryk Jarecki, Anton Rubinstein, Ludwig Marek, Karol Mikuli
Notable for: Direct pedagogical lineage to Chopin via Mikuli; expert in Chopin’s works

53. Wanda Landowska (1879–1959, Polish-French)

Born in: Warsaw, Poland
Died in: Lakeville, Connecticut, United States
Teacher relations: Jan Kleczyński, Aleksander Michałowski, Moritz Moszkowski, Heinrich Urban
Notable for: Revived interest in harpsichord and Baroque performance practice

54. Ethel Leginska (1886–1970, British)

Born in: Hull, Yorkshire, England
Died in: Los Angeles, United States
Teacher relations: James Kwast, Theodor Leschetizky, Rubin Goldmark, Ernest Bloch, Eugène Aynsley Goossens
Notable for: Pioneer female conductor and pianist; groundbreaking work in musical feminism

55. Josef Lhévinne (1874–1944, Russian)

Born in: Oryol, Russia
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Vasily Safonov
Notable for: Extraordinary technique; author of Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing

56. Rosina Lhévinne (1880–1976, Ukrainian)

Born in: Kiev, Ukraine
Died in: Los Angeles, United States
Teacher relations: Josef Lhévinne, S. M. Remesov, Vasily Safonov
Notable for: Influential teacher at Juilliard; mentor to Van Cliburn

57. Dinu Lipatti (1917–1950, Romanian)

Born in: Bucharest, Romania
Died in: Geneva, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Mihail Jora, Florica Musicescu, Alfred Cortot, Nadia Boulanger, Paul Dukas, Igor Strawinski, Yvonne Lefébure, Charles Münch, Artur Schnabel
Notable for: Incomparable clarity and artistry, particularly in Chopin and Bach

58. Eugene List (1918–1985, American)

Born in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Julius V. Seyler, Olga Samaroff
Notable for: Versatile pianist; performed for President Truman and Stalin

59. Witold Małcużyński (1914–1977, Polish)

Born in: Koziczyn, Poland
Died in: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Teacher relations: Jerzy Lefeld, Józef Turczyński, Marguerite Long, Isidor Philipp
Notable for: Distinguished Chopin specialist with a passionate style

60. Aleksander Michałowski (1851–1938, Polish)

Born in: Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine (then Poland)
Died in: Warsaw, Poland
Teacher relations: Ignaz Moscheles, Carl Reinecke, Theodor Coccius, Carl Tausig, Karol Mikuli
Notable for: Early advocate of Chopin’s works; major influence on Polish pianism

61. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920–1995, Italian)

Born in: Brescia, Italy
Died in: Lugano, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Paulo Chimeri, Giovanni Anfossi
Notable for: Unparalleled precision and artistry, particularly in Debussy, Ravel, and Chopin

62. Poldi Mildner (1913–2007, Austrian)

Born in: Vienna, Austria
Died in: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Teacher relations: Emma Werner, Hans Keitel, Hedwig Kanner-Rosenthal, Moriz Rosenthal, Robert Teichmüller, Artur Schnabel
Notable for: Expressive interpretations of the Romantic repertoire

63. Benno Moiseiwitsch (1890–1963, Russian-British)

Born in: Odessa, Ukraine
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Dmitry Klimov, Theodor Leschetizky
Notable for: Elegance and virtuosity, particularly in Rachmaninoff and Chopin

64. Ivan Moravec (1930–2015, Czech)

Born in: Prague, Czech Republic
Died in: Prague, Czech Republic
Teacher relations: Erna Grünfeld, Ilona Štěpánová-Kurzová, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Notable for: Poetic interpretations of Chopin and Debussy

65. Heinrich Neuhaus (1888–1964, Russian-German-Polish)

Born in: Elisavetgrad, Russia (now Ukraine)
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Karol Szymanowski, Felix Blumenfeld, Aleksander Michałowski, Leopold Godowsky, Paul Juon, Heinrich Barth
Notable for: Great Russian pedagogue; taught Richter, Gilels, and many others

66. Stanislav Neuhaus (1927–1980, Russian)

Born in: Moscow, Russia
Died in: Peredelkino, Russia
Teacher relations: Heinrich Neuhaus, Lev Naumov, Yevgeny Malinin
Notable for: Intellectual and expressive playing; significant teaching influence

67. Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1859/1860–1941, Polish)

Born in: Kuryłówka, Poland
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Rudolf Stobl, Juliusz Janothy, Roman Schlözer, Pawel Schlözer, Friedrich Kiel, Heinrich Urban, Theodor Leschetizky, Camile Saint-Saëns
Notable for: Legendary pianist and statesman; emotional and grandiose interpretations

68. Vlado Perlemuter (1904–2002, Lithuanian-French)

Born in: Kaunas, Lithuania
Died in: Paris, France
Teacher relations: Moritz Moszkowski, Alfred Cortot
Notable for: Intimate knowledge of Ravel’s music, having worked with the composer

69. Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943, Russian)

Born in: Novgorod Governorate, Russia
Died in: Beverly Hills, United States
Teacher relations: Nikolai Sergejewitsch Swerew, Alexander Siloti, Anton Arensky, Sergei Taneyev
Notable for: Composer-pianist of legendary technique; masterworks include his concertos and preludes

70. Sviatoslav Richter (1915–1997, Russian)

Born in: Zhytomyr, Ukraine
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Self-taught, Heinrich Neuhaus
Notable for: Phenomenal memory and depth of interpretation; one of the greatest pianists of all time

71. Charles Rosen (1927–2012, American)

Born in: New York City, United States
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Moriz Rosenthal, Hedwig Kanner, Karl Weigl
Notable for: Intellectual interpretations and scholarly writings on classical music

72. Moritz Rosenthal (1862–1946, Polish)

Born in: Lwów, Ukraine (then Poland)
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Karol Mikuli, Franz Liszt, Rafael Joseffy, Karol Tausig
Notable for: Dazzling virtuosity; one of the last direct students of Liszt

73. Artur Rubinstein (1887–1982, Polish-American)

Born in: Łódź, Poland
Died in: Geneva, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Private lessons, Adolf Prechner, Aleksander Różycki, Karl Heinrich Barth
Notable for: Legendary Chopin interpreter; vibrant and charismatic performer

74. Emil von Sauer (1862–1942, German)

Born in: Hamburg, Germany
Died in: Vienna, Austria
Teacher relations: Nikolai Rubinstein, Franz Liszt
Notable for: Virtuosic Romantic pianist; important pedagogue and composer

75. Artur Schnabel (1882–1951, Austrian-American)

Born in: Lipnik, Poland
Died in: Axenstein, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Anetta Essipoff, Hans Schmitt, Theodor Leschetizky, Anna Yesipova, Malwine Bree, Eusebius Mandyczewski
Notable for: Pioneered serious study of Beethoven’s complete sonatas; intellectual approach to interpretation

76. Ruth Slenczynska (b. 1925, American, Polish roots)

Born in: Sacramento, California, United States
Teacher relations: Artur Schnabel, Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, Josef Hofmann, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Notable for: Child prodigy; brilliant Chopin specialist with a long career

77. Jan Smeterlin (1892–1967, Polish)

Born in: Bielsko, Poland
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Leopold Godowsky
Notable for: Outstanding interpreter of Szymanowski and Chopin

78. Vladimir Sofronitsky (1901–1961, Russian)

Born in: St. Petersburg, Russia
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: A. W. Lebedewa-Getzewitsch, Aleksander Michałowski, Maximilian Steinberg, Leonid Nikolayev
Notable for: Passionate and poetic Scriabin interpretations

79. Solomon Cutner (1902–1988, British)

Born in: London, England
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Mathilde Verne, Simon Rumschinsky, Lazare Lévy
Notable for: Profound Beethoven and Schumann interpretations

80. Władysław Szpilman (1911–2000, Polish)

Born in: Sosnowiec, Poland
Died in: Warsaw, Poland
Teacher relations: Aleksander Michałowski, Józef Śmidowicz, Artur Schnabel, Franz Schreker, Leonid Kreutzer
Notable for: Survivor of the Holocaust, subject of The Pianist film, accomplished composer

81. Karol Szreter (1898–1933, Polish)

Born in: Łódź, Poland
Died in: Berlin, Germany
Teacher relations: Egon Petri
Notable for: Brilliant interpretations of the Romantic repertoire, particularly Liszt and Chopin

82. Henryk Sztompka (1901–1964, Polish)

Born in: Bogusławce, Poland
Died in: Kraków, Poland
Teacher relations: Józef Turczyński, Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Notable for: Strong advocate of Chopin’s music; expressive and poetic playing

83. Józef Turczyński (1884–1953, Polish)

Born in: Zhytomyr, Ukraine (then Poland)
Died in: Lausanne, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Ferruccio Busoni, Anna Yesipova, Ignacy Paderewski
Notable for: Chopin specialist and renowned teacher

84. Rosalyn Tureck (1913/1914–2003, American)

Born in: Chicago, United States
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Jan Chiapusso, Sophia Brilliant-Liven, Gavin Williamson, Leon Theremin
Notable for: Leading Bach interpreter on piano and harpsichord

85. Alexander Uninsky (1910–1972, Ukrainian-American)

Born in: Kiev, Ukraine
Died in: Dallas, United States
Teacher relations: Lazare Lévy
Notable for: Winner of the 1932 Chopin Competition; elegant and precise playing

86. Martha Argerich (b. 1941, Argentine)

Born in: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Teacher relations: Vincenzo Scaramuzza, Friedrich Gulda, Nikita Magaloff, Stefan Askenase
Notable for: Fiery virtuosity and profound musicality; renowned in Chopin, Prokofiev, and Ravel

87. Harold Bauer (1873–1951, British-American)

Born in: Kingston upon Thames, England
Died in: Miami, United States
Teacher relations: Tobias Matthay, Ignacy Paderewski, Władysław Górski (Violin)
Notable for: Transitioned from violin to piano; master of Schumann and French repertoire

88. Rafał Blechacz (b. 1985, Polish)

Born in: Nakło nad Notecią, Poland
Teacher relations: Jacek Polański, Joanna Brzezińska, Katarzyna Popowa-Zydroń
Notable for: Winner of the 2005 Chopin Competition; refined and poetic Chopin interpretations

89. Jorge Bolet (1914–1990, Cuban-American)

Born in: Havana, Cuba
Died in: Mountain View, California, United States
Teacher relations: Fritz Reiner (conducting), Moritz Rosenthal, Rudolf Serkin, David Saperton, Leopold Godowsky, Josef Hofmann
Notable for: One of the greatest Liszt interpreters; grand Romantic style

90. Stanislav Bunin (b. 1966, Russian-Japanese)

Born in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Elena Richter, Sergei Dorenski, Lev Naumov
Notable for: 1985 Chopin Competition winner; brilliant but unconventional pianist

91. José Vianna da Motta (1868–1948, Portuguese)

Born in: São Tomé, Portuguese Empire
Died in: Lisbon, Portugal
Teacher relations: Franz Liszt, Xaver Scharwenka, Philipp Scharwenka (composition), Carl Schaeffer
Notable for: Last pupil of Liszt; champion of Portuguese composers and Romantic repertoire

92. Dang Thai Son (b. 1958, Vietnamese-Canadian)

Born in: Hanoi, Vietnam
Teacher relations: Thai Thi Lien, Vladimir Natanson, Dmitri Bashkirov
Notable for: First Asian pianist to win the Chopin Competition (1980); delicate and expressive interpretations

93. Bella Davidovich (b. 1928, Russian-American)

Born in: Baku, Azerbaijan (then Soviet Union)
Teacher relations: Konstantin Igumnov, Yakov Flier
Notable for: 1949 Chopin Competition winner; expressive and poetic playing

94. Cor de Groot (1914–1993, Dutch)

Born in: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died in: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Teacher relations: Egbert Veen, Ulferts Schults, Sem Dresden (composition, conducting)
Notable for: Exceptional left-hand repertoire due to focal dystonia

95. Alicia de Larrocha (1923–2009, Spanish)

Born in: Barcelona, Spain
Died in: Barcelona, Spain
Teacher relations: Frank Marshall, Enrique Granados (indirect lineage)
Notable for: Leading interpreter of Spanish composers like Albéniz and Granados

96. Allie Deady (dates unknown, American)

Born in: United States
Notable for: Highly skilled pianist known for her refined touch and musicality

97. François-René Duchâble (b. 1952, French)

Born in: Paris, France
Teacher relations: : Joseph Calvet, Joseph Benvenuti, Madeleine Giraudeau-Basset, Robert Blot (conducting), Pierre Sancan
Notable for: Virtuosic performer; known for his unconventional career decisions

98. François Dumont (b. 1985, French)

Born in: Lyon, France
Teacher relations: Bruno Rigutto
Notable for: Finalist in major international competitions, including the Chopin Competition (2010)

99. Jan Ekier (1913–2014, Polish)

Born in: Kraków, Poland
Died in: Warsaw, Poland
Teacher relations: Olga Stoflowa, Bernard Rizzi (composition), Zbigniew Drzewiecki, Kazimierz Sikorski (composition), Bronisław Rutkowski (organ), Józef Turczyński
Notable for: Editor of the National Edition of Chopin’s works; leading Chopin interpreter

100. Philippe Entremont (b. 1934, French)

Born in: Reims, France
Teacher relations: Marguerite Long, Jean Doyen
Notable for: Acclaimed concert pianist and conductor; elegant interpretations of French music

101. Arthur Friedheim (1859–1932, Russian-German)

Born in: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Anton Rubinstein, Franz Liszt
Notable for: One of Liszt’s closest pupils; detailed accounts of Liszt’s teaching methods

102. Nelson Freire (1944–2021, Brazilian)

Born in: Boa Esperança, Brazil
Died in: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Teacher relations: Lucia Branco, Nise Obino, Bruno Seidlhofer
Notable for: Profound interpretations of Chopin and Brahms; poetic and powerful playing

103. Grigory Ginzburg (1904–1961, Russian)

Born in: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Alexander Goldenweiser
Notable for: Lyrical and virtuosic pianist; exceptional in Romantic repertoire

104. Philippe Giusiano (b. 1973, French)

Born in: Marseille, France
Teacher relations: Odile Poisson, Pierre Barbizet, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Jacques Rouvier, Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, Jan Wijn
Notable for: Winner of the 1995 Chopin Competition; refined Chopin specialist

105. Ingrid Haebler (b. 1926, Austrian)

Born in: Vienna, Austria
Died in: Puch bei Hallein, Austria
Teacher relations: Walter Lampe, Heinz Scholz, Franz Ledwinka, Paul Weingarten, Nikita Magaloff, Marguerite Long
Notable for: Elegant Mozart interpretations; historically informed performance approach

106. Eugen Indjic (1947-2024, Serbian-American)

Born in: Belgrade, Serbia
Teacher relations: Alexander Borovsky, Arthur Rubinstein (mentorship), Nadia Boulanger
Notable for: Romantic pianist with a deep connection to Chopin and Liszt

107. José Iturbi (1895–1980, Spanish-American)

Born in: Valencia, Spain
Died in: Los Angeles, United States
Teacher relations: Wanda Landowska, Victor Staub
Notable for: Concert pianist and conductor; known for film appearances in the 1940s

108. Krzysztof Jabłoński (b. 1965, Polish)

Born in: Wrocław, Poland
Teacher relations: Janina Butor, Nikita Magaloff, Andrzej Jasiński
Notable for: Prizewinner of the 1985 Chopin Competition; respected Chopin interpreter

109. Peter Jablonski (b. 1971, Swedish-Polish)

Born in: Lyckeby, Sweden
Teacher relations: Andrzej Jasiński, Tatiana Shebanova
Notable for: Wide-ranging repertoire; known for Rachmaninoff and Chopin interpretations

110. William Kapell (1922–1953, American)

Born in: New York City, United States
Died in: San Francisco, United States (plane crash)
Teacher relations: Half Moon Bay, Olga Samaroff
Notable for: Brilliant Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev interpretations; tragically short career

111. Stephen Kovacevich (b. 1940, American-British)

Born in: San Pedro, California, United States
Teacher relations: Lev Schorr, Dame Myra Hess
Notable for: Deep and insightful interpretations of Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert

112. Nikita Magaloff (1912–1992, Georgian-Swiss)

Born in: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died in: Vevey, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Isidor Philipp, Alexander Siloti, Sergej Prokofjew (composition)
Notable for: First pianist to record Chopin’s complete works; elegant and refined style

113. Vladimir Mogilevsky (b. 1970s, Russian)

Born in: Russia
Teacher relations: Lev Naumov
Notable for: Virtuosic and expressive interpretations of Romantic repertoire

114. Lev Oborin (1907–1974, Russian)

Born in: Moscow, Russia
Died in: Moscow, Russia
Teacher relations: Jelena Gnessina, Alexander Gretschaninov (composition), Konstantin Igumnov
Notable for: Winner of the first Chopin Competition (1927); noted for his clarity and elegance

115. Janusz Olejniczak (1952-2024, Polish)

Born in: Wrocław, Poland
Died in: Warszawa, Poland
Teacher relations: Luiza Walewska, Ryszard Bakst, Zbigniew Drzewiecki
Notable for: Chopin specialist; appeared as the pianist in the film The Pianist (2002)

116. Murray Perahia (b. 1947, American)

Born in: New York City, United States
Teacher relations: Mieczysław Horszowski, Carl Bamberger (composition, conducting), Artur Balsam, Rudolf Serkin, Alexander Schneider, Pablo Casals, Vladimir Horowitz (mentorship)
Notable for: Exquisite Bach, Mozart, and Schubert interpretations; poetic and refined playing

117. Maria João Pires (b. 1944, Portuguese)

Born in: Lisbon, Portugal
Teacher relations: Campos Coelho, Francine Benoît, Rosl Schmid, Karl Engel
Notable for: Highly expressive interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin

118. Mikhail Pletnev (b. 1957, Russian)

Born in: Arkhangelsk, Russia
Teacher relations: Kira Alexandrowa Schaschkina, Jewgeni Timakin, Albert Leman, Yakov Flier, Lev Vlassenko
Notable for: Virtuoso pianist, conductor, and composer; known for Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev

119. Ivo Pogorelich (b. 1958, Croatian)

Born in: Belgrade, Serbia (then Yugoslavia)
Teacher relations: Jewgeni Timakin, Wera Gornostajewa, Jewgeni Malinin, Aliza Kezeradze
Notable for: Controversial and highly individualistic interpretations; unique approach to Chopin

120. Maurizio Pollini (1942-2024, Italian)

Born in: Milan, Italy
Died in: Milan, Italy
Teacher relations: Carlos Lonati, Carlo Vidusso, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Notable for: Extraordinary technique and intellect; master of Beethoven, Chopin, and modern repertoire

121. Jorge Luis Prats (b. 1956, Cuban)

Born in: Camagüey, Cuba
Teacher relations: Cesar Perez Sentenar, Barbara Dìaz Alea, Margot Rojas Mendoza, Alfred Diez, Rudolf Kehrer, Paul Badura-Skoda, Magda Tagliaferro, Witold Małcużński, Frank Fernández, Marguerite Long, Rafael de Silva
Notable for: Exceptional Cuban and Spanish repertoire interpretations; virtuosic technique

122. Menahem Pressler (1923–2023, German-American)

Born in: Magdeburg, Germany
Died in: London, England
Teacher relations: Bruno Walter, Leo Kestenberg
Notable for: Founder of the Beaux Arts Trio; master of chamber music

123. Grigory Sokolov (b. 1950, Russian)

Born in: Leningrad (Saint Petersburg), Russia
Teacher relations: Leonid Zelikhman, Moisey Khalfin
Notable for: Legendary live performances; known for deep, nuanced interpretations

124. Alexei Sultanov (1969–2005, Russian-American)

Born in: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Died in: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Teacher relations: Tamara Popowitsch, Lev Naumov, Vladimir Horowitz
Notable for: Winner of the 1989 Van Cliburn Competition; energetic and powerful playing

125. Alexis Weissenberg (1929–2012, Bulgarian-French)

Born in: Sofia, Bulgaria
Died in: Lugano, Switzerland
Teacher relations: Pancho Vladigerov, Wanda Landowska, Artur Schnabel, Olga Samaroff
Notable for: Precision and clarity in Bach, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff

126. André Watts (1946–2023, American)

Born in: Nuremberg, Germany
Died in: Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Teacher relations: Leon Fleisher
Notable for: One of the first African-American concert pianists to gain international fame

127. Earl Wild (1915–2010, American)

Born in: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Died in: Palm Springs, California, United States
Teacher relations: Selmar Janson, Egon Petri, Paul Doguereau, Helene Barere, Volya Cossack
Notable for: Virtuosic transcriptions; Liszt and Rachmaninoff specialist

128. Ingolf Wunder (b. 1985, Austrian)

Born in: Klagenfurt, Austria
Teacher relations: Horst Matthaeus, Idil Biret, Paul Badura-Skoda, Adam Harasiewicz
Notable for: Top Prize winner at the 2010 Chopin Competition; expressive and technically refined playing

129. Krystian Zimerman (b. 1956, Polish)

Born in: Zabrze, Poland
Teacher relations: Andrzej Jasinski
Notable for: Winner of the 1975 Chopin Competition; meticulous and intellectual approach to interpretation

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