The 32 Best Jazz Pianists of all time!

Top 30 Best Classical Pianists of All Time! (2023)

Ludwig van Beethoven, born on December 16, 1770, in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is one of the most celebrated composers and best classical pianists in the history of Western classical music.

His works, which span the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era, are renowned for their emotional depth and innovative compositions.

Beethoven began his music career at a young age, and despite losing his hearing in his late twenties, he continued to compose, conduct, and perform.

His perseverance in the face of adversity and his profound influence on the course of music history have made him a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit.

His piano sonatas, such as the “Moonlight Sonata” and the “Pathétique,” are staples of the piano repertoire, showcasing his mastery of form and his ability to express a wide range of emotions through music.

His nine symphonies, particularly the iconic Fifth and Ninth, have also left a lasting impact on orchestral music.

Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, born on March 1, 1810, in Mazowieckie, Poland, was a Polish composer and one of the best classical pianists of the Romantic era.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the piano, an instrument for which he wrote his entire body of work.

Chopin’s music, characterized by its expressive depth and technical demands, has become synonymous with the Romantic period. His works, including his nocturnes, ballades, and polonaises, are considered cornerstones of the piano repertoire.

His ability to convey a wide range of emotions through his music, from the most delicate whisperings to the grandest of statements, has left a lasting impact on the world of classical music.

His works continue to inspire musicians and captivate audiences around the world, and he is celebrated as one of the best classical pianists of all time.

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, and teacher of the Romantic period.

Born on October 22, 1811, in Raiding, Hungary, Liszt was recognized as a child prodigy by the age of 6. His father, Adam, who played the cello and several other instruments, passionately taught Franz how to play piano.

By the age of 9, Liszt was performing in concert halls and was already composing elementary works. He was known for his uncanny ability to improvise an original composition from a melody suggested by an audience member.

Liszt was one of the most prominent representatives of the New German School and left behind an extensive and diverse body of work that influenced his forward-looking contemporaries and anticipated 20th-century ideas and trends.

Franz Liszt’s life and music have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. His virtuosity, innovative compositions, and the sheer volume of his work have secured his place as one of the greatest pianists of all time.

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor, widely considered one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music.

Born into a musical family on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, Russia, Rachmaninoff began learning the piano at a young age and showed prodigious talent.

He studied piano and composition at the Moscow Conservatory, graduating in 1892, and by the age of 18, he had already composed his First Piano Concerto, demonstrating his extraordinary ability as a pianist and composer.

Rachmaninoff’s music is known for its song-like melodicism, expressiveness, dense contrapuntal textures, rich orchestral colors, and being one of the best classical pianists of all time.

His large hands allowed him to span wide chords in his compositions, creating a unique blend of intense emotion and technical brilliance.

His “Piano Concerto No. 2,” composed in 1901 following a period of depression, is a favorite among classical music enthusiasts and is considered his masterpiece.

Despite the initial criticism of his First Symphony, Rachmaninoff continued to compose and conduct, eventually becoming the Principal Conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1904.

After the 1917 Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff left Russia permanently, settling in the United States where he spent most of his time touring as a pianist.

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the Brandenburg Concertos and instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites.

His keyboard works, like the Goldberg Variations and The Well-Tempered Clavier, and organ works, such as the Schubler Chorales and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, are also highly celebrated, and cement him as one of the best classical pianists of all time.

His vocal music, including the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor, has left a significant mark on Western music. Since the 19th-century Bach revival, he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.

Bach was born as the last child of a city musician, Johann Ambrosia, in Eisenach. After being orphaned at the age of 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother Johann Christoph, after which he continued his musical education in Lüneburg.

His compositions include hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular. He composed Latin church music, Passions, oratorios, and motets.

He often adopted Lutheran hymns in his larger vocal works, his four-part chorales, and his sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and other keyboard instruments.

He composed concertos, for instance for violin and harpsichord, and suites, as chamber music as well as for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue.

The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century, all of his known music had been printed.

Claude Debussy, born in 1862 in France, was a remarkable composer who played a significant role in the field of impressionist music. His talent for the piano was evident from a young age, leading him to the Paris Conservatory at just 11 years old.

At 22, he won the Prix de Rome, which financed two years of further musical study in Rome. After the turn of the century, Debussy established himself as the leading figure of French music. His life was cut short by colon cancer at the age of 55 during World War 1.

Debussy’s compositions were innovative and unique. His exposure to Russian composers and the music of Richard Wagner had a profound influence on his work. His music incorporated elements of the Javanese gamelan, creating a new kind of sound.

Some of his early masterpieces include “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” and the “String Quartet”.

His seminal opera, “Pelléas et Mélisande”, was a sensation when first performed in 1902, and his works such as “La Mer” and “Ibéria” for orchestra, and “Images” and “Children’s Corner Suite” for solo piano, have left a lasting impact on music.

He was one of the best classical pianists of his time!

At four, he began piano lessons with his mother, and at five he made his first documented public appearance, on 5 June 1938, at a church in Uxbridge, ON, accompanying his parents, who sang a duet.

An intellectual performer with a gift for clarifying counterpoint and structure, his playing was also deeply expressive and rhythmically dynamic. He had the technique and tonal palette of a virtuoso but refuted many conventions and disdained live performance.

Martha Argerich, born on June 5, 1941, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is one of the world’s most compelling and virtuosic pianists.

She is known for her explosive musical temperament and staggering technique. Her interpretations are deeply personal, intense, and imbued with a unique sense of musical insight.

Argerich began playing the piano at the age of three and gave her first concert when she was just eight. She grew to become one of the best classical pianists.

She moved to Europe with her family to continue her piano studies in Vienna and later in Switzerland. Her breakthrough came in 1965 when she won the prestigious Chopin Competition in Warsaw, which launched her international career.

Throughout her career, Argerich has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, and her discography is extensive.

Some of her notable albums include “Martha Argerich: Début Recital” (1961), “Frédéric Chopin · Martha Argerich” (1967), and “Prokofiev: Klavierkonzert Nr. 3 C-Dur / Ravel: Klavierkonzert G-Dur” (1967).

Her repertoire ranges from Bach to contemporary composers, with a particular focus on Romantic music, especially Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann.

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Vladimir Horowitz, born on September 18, 1903, in Kyiv, Ukraine, is widely considered one of the best classical pianists of the 20th century.

His technique, energy, and use of tone color set him apart as a unique and captivating performer. He is most famous for his interpretation of Romantic-era pieces.

Horowitz began playing the piano at a young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied at the Kyiv Conservatory and made his debut in 1920. His performances were met with great acclaim, and he soon began touring internationally.

Throughout his career, Horowitz was known for his electrifying performances and his ability to draw audiences into the music. His interpretations of works by composers such as Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt are still considered some of the best.

Horowitz passed away on November 5, 1989, in New York City. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many pianists who have been influenced by his playing.

Yuja Wang, born on February 10, 1987, is globally recognized as one of the best classical pianists, hailing from Beijing, China.

Her journey with the piano began at the tender age of six, and she later pursued her studies at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

By the age of 21, she had already made a name for herself on the international stage, performing recitals around the world and receiving widespread critical acclaim for her performances.

Yuja’s family background is deeply rooted in the arts, with her mother being a dancer and her father a percussionist.

She was the youngest student ever to enter the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta.

Her talent and dedication led her to win third prize in the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists in Germany at the age of 11.

Lang Lang, born on June 14, 1982, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, is a globally renowned classical pianist.

He has performed with leading orchestras in China, North America, Europe, and other regions, making a significant impact on the world of classical music since the 1990s.

He was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and some top American orchestras.

Lang Lang’s performances are known for their breathtaking virtuosity, tonal refinement, and dramatic intensity.

His artistry has reached far beyond the concert hall, captivating audiences worldwide. He is considered by many as one of the most accomplished classical musicians of modern times.

In addition to his musical career, Lang Lang is also a dedicated philanthropist and an influential ambassador for the arts. He founded the Lang Lang International Music Foundation in 2008, which has impacted numerous students worldwide.

The foundation’s initiatives include setting up state-of-the-art “piano labs” across British state schools, each equipped with 20 to 30 keyboards.

Lang Lang’s recordings have played a central role in broadening his global audience. In 2019, he released “Piano Book,” a selection of his favorite pieces to inspire and motivate piano students of all ages.

The album became the best-selling classical album of 2019 across the globe. In 2020, he fulfilled a long-held dream by recording Bach’s Goldberg Variations, a work he first began exploring over two decades ago.

Artur Rubinstein, born on January 28, 1887, (died December 20, 1982), was a Polish-American pianist renowned for his mastery of a variety of composers’ works, with many considering him the greatest Chopin interpreter of his time.

His musical journey began at a very young age, demonstrating absolute pitch and a fascination with the piano at just two years old.

By the age of four, he was recognized as a child prodigy, and at seven, he made his debut with pieces by Mozart, Schubert, and Mendelssohn.

Rubinstein’s talent was so exceptional that the Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, upon hearing the four-year-old child play, was greatly impressed and offered to supervise his artistic education when the time came for serious study.

Rubinstein’s career took off in earnest when he moved to Paris in 1904, where he met renowned composers and musicians, further enriching his musical prowess.

In addition to his illustrious career as a solo pianist, Rubinstein was also a soloist in piano concertos and a chamber musician. His performances spanned eight decades, captivating audiences worldwide with his exceptional talent and passion for music.

The Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, established in 1973, is a testament to his enduring impact.

Daniel Barenboim, born on November 15, 1942, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a world-renowned classical pianist and conductor.

His illustrious career spans over seven decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Barenboim’s parents, both professional pianists, nurtured his musical talent from a young age.

He has also served as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, and La Scala in Milan.

Barenboim’s discography is extensive and diverse, reflecting his deep understanding and interpretation of music from the Romantic era and beyond.

The inspirational cellist Jacqueline du Pré was Barenboim’s wife and performed with him on many acclaimed chamber music recordings. His wife died in 1987.

Some of Barenboim’s best recordings as a pianist include Beethoven’s Cello Sonatas with Jacqueline du Pré, Chopin’s Nocturnes, Liszt’s Liebesträume, and complete cycles of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas and Mozart’s Piano Concertos.

Discover Daniel Barenboim: Spotify / Tidal / Youtube (Moonlight)

Daniil Olegovich Trifonov, born on March 5, 1991, is a Russian pianist and composer who has made a significant impact on the classical music scene. He is often described as the leading classical virtuoso of today and one of the best classical pianists of all time.

His honors include a Grammy Award win in 2018 and the Gramophone Classical Music Awards’ Artist of the Year Award in 2016.

Trifonov began studying piano at the age of five and performed in his first solo recital at the age of seven.

His breakthrough came in 2011 when he won the First Prize and Grand Prix at the International Tchaikovsky Competition and the First Prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition.

His discography includes a variety of works, from his debut recital recorded live at Carnegie Hall to his Grammy-winning album of the complete transcendental études for piano by Franz Liszt

Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy, born on July 6, 1937, is an internationally recognized solo pianist, chamber music performer, and conductor.

His extensive repertoire ranges from Bach to Bartók, and his recordings have earned him five Grammy awards and Iceland’s Order of the Falcon.

Ashkenazy began playing piano at the age of six and was accepted to the Central Music School at age eight, studying with Anaida Sumbatyan. He later attended the Moscow Conservatory where he studied with Lev Oborin and Boris Zemliansky.

He won second prize in the V International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1955 and first prize in the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels in 1956. He shared the first prize in the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition with John Ogdon.

He has served as Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo, and Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

He also holds the positions of Music Director of the European Union Youth Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

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Alfred Denis Cortot, born on 26 September 1877, was a renowned French pianist, conductor, and teacher of the 20th century. He was particularly celebrated for his profound understanding and interpretation of Romantic piano works.

Cortot was a central figure in French musical culture during his time. He was well known for his piano trio with violinist Jacques Thibaud and cellist Pablo Casals.

His early life was spent in Nyon, Vaud, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, where he was born to a French father and a Swiss mother.

He studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Émile Decombes, a student of Frédéric Chopin, and with Louis Diémer, taking a premier prix in 1896.

In 1905, Cortot formed a trio with Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals, which established itself as the leading piano trio of its era. In 1907, he was appointed Professor by Gabriel Fauré at the Conservatoire de Paris, replacing Raoul Pugno.

He continued to teach at the Paris Conservatoire until 1923, where his pupils included Yvonne Lefébure, Vlado Perlemuter, Simone Plé-Caussade, Magdeleine Brard, Marguerite Monnot, and Rodica Sutz.

In 1919, Cortot founded the École Normale de Musique de Paris. His courses in musical interpretation were legendary. The École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot continues to attract students from all over the world for its excellence.

Despite his significant contributions to music, Cortot’s legacy is not without controversy. His collaboration with the Nazi regime during World War II has been a subject of discussion.

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Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter, born on March 20, 1915, was a Soviet and Russian classical pianist who is often considered one of the greatest pianists of all time. His interpretations, virtuoso technique, and vast repertoire have been widely praised.

Richter was born in Zhytomyr, Volhynian Governorate, in the Russian Empire (modern-day Ukraine). His father, Teofil Danilovich Richter, was a pianist, organist, and composer who had studied at the Vienna Conservatory.

His mother, Anna Pavlovna Richter, came from a noble Russian landowning family and had studied under her future husband.

Richter’s career took a significant turn in 1937 when he decided to seek out Heinrich Neuhaus, a pianist and piano teacher, at the Moscow Conservatory.

During Richter’s audition for Neuhaus, Neuhaus whispered to a fellow student, “This man’s a genius.” Neuhaus took Richter on as a pupil at the Moscow Conservatory, despite Richter’s lack of formal training and his relatively advanced age.

Richter’s performances were characterized by their depth and virtuosity. He treated each composition like a vast landscape, surveying it from a great height with the vision of an eagle, taking in the whole and all the details at the same time.

His performances were like no one else’s, and there was nothing that could be taught to him. He was one of the best classical pianists of all time.

Richter passed away on August 1, 1997, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and influence musicians worldwide. His website, sviatoslavrichter.ru, continues to celebrate his life and work.

Leif Ove Andsnes, born on April 7, 1970, is a renowned Norwegian pianist and chamber musician. Known for his commanding technique and insightful interpretations, Andsnes has gained international recognition, performing in the world’s leading concert hall.

Born in Karmøy, Norway, Andsnes studied at the Bergen Music Conservatory under the esteemed Czech professor Jirí Hlinka.

He also received significant guidance from the Belgian piano teacher Jacques de Tiège, who, like Hlinka, greatly influenced his style and philosophy of playing.

Alfred Brendel, born on January 5, 1931, is an Austrian classical pianist, poet, author, composer, and lecturer.

He is renowned for his performances of Mozart, Schubert, Schoenberg, and Beethoven. Brendel was born to a non-musical family in Wizemberk, Czechoslovakia (now Loučná nad Desnou, Czech Republic).

He then toured throughout Europe and Latin America, slowly building his career and participating in a few masterclasses of Paul Baumgartner, Eduard Steuermann, and Edwin Fischer.

He also wrote numerous poems and essays and published books, including Music, Sense, and Nonsense in September 2015.

(1876–1957) was a Polish-American pianist, composer, music teacher, and inventor. He was born in Podgórze, a district of Kraków, in Austro-Hungarian Galicia (present-day Poland).

Hofmann was a child prodigy who gave his debut recital in Warsaw at the age of 5. His extensive tours and performances over the next 50 years established him as one of the most celebrated pianists of the era.

As a composer, Hofmann published over one hundred works, many under the pseudonym Michel Dvorsky, including two piano concertos and ballet music.

He became a US citizen in 1926 and was the first head of the piano department at the inception of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, in 1924. Hofman was one of the best classical pianists of his era.

Discover Joesef Hofman: Spotify / Tidal / Youtube – (Josef Hofmann – The complete film footage)

Emil Gilels was a Soviet pianist, widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, Gilels began studying the piano at the age of six.

He made his concert debut at the age of 12 and went on to win the first All-Soviet Union Piano Competition in 1933.

Gilels was known for his deep musical understanding, wide repertoire, and powerful sound.

He was particularly noted for his interpretations of Beethoven, Brahms, and Prokofiev, and he was the first Soviet artist to be allowed to travel extensively in the West.

Dinu Lipatti (1917–1950) was a Romanian classical pianist and composer whose career was cut short by his death from effects related to Hodgkin’s disease at age 33. Lipatti was a relentless perfectionist, often preparing for many years for major performances.

He left a small number of recordings, which are highly regarded, particularly that of Alborada del gracioso from Ravel’s Miroirs suite.

In his short lifetime, he was highly acclaimed by many musical figures of the 20th century, namely Yehudi Menuhin, Alfred Cortot, Nadia Boulanger, and Francis Poulenc. He was one of the best classical pianists of his time.

Artur Schnabel (1882–1951) was an Austrian classical pianist, composer, and teacher. He is best known for his interpretations of Beethoven’s piano works. Schnabel was the first pianist to record all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas.

His performances were noted for their intellectual depth and musical expression. In addition to his career as a pianist, Schnabel also composed a number of musical works, including piano pieces, chamber music, and songs.

Discover Artur Schnabel: Spotify / Tidal

25. Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann (1810–1856) was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law to return to music, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist.

His teacher, a German piano professor, Friedrich Wieck, assured him that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing.

In 1840, Schumann married Friedrich Wieck’s daughter Clara, who was an accomplished pianist and a music prodigy herself. This marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership in music and a deep personal bond.

He is particularly known for his works such as Carnaval, Symphonic Studies, Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana, and the Fantasie in C.

Schumann’s music often incorporated motifs and characters. He frequently made references to works of literature in his compositions.

These elements also found their way into his editorial writing for the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (New Journal for Music), a Leipzig-based publication that he co-founded.

Image: Eren Yagmuroglu / No changes

Fazıl Say (born 1970) is a Turkish pianist and composer. He was a child prodigy, who was able to do basic arithmetic with 4-digit numbers at the age of two. His first piece, “Black Earth,” was recorded in 1997 and has been a concert staple ever since.

Say has made many recordings of classical works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Stravinsky. He has also composed orchestral works, chamber music, and piano pieces.

Discover Fazil Say: Spotify / Tidal

Grigory Sokolov (born 1950) is a Russian pianist. He is among the most esteemed of living pianists, his repertoire spanning composers from the Baroque period such as Bach, Couperin, or Rameau up to Schoenberg and Arapov.

He regularly tours Europe (excluding the UK) and resides in Italy.

Maurizio Pollini (born 1942) is an Italian pianist.

He is especially noted for his performances of Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Schoenberg, Webern and for championing modern composers.

He is a fan of Pierre Boulez, Luigi Nono, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bruno Maderna, Giacomo Manzoni, and Salvatore Sciarrino to name a few.

He has conducted both opera and orchestral music, sometimes leading the orchestra from the keyboard in concertos.

Discover Maurizio Pollini: Spotify / Tidal

In addition to being the 2022 winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Yunchan Lim made a considerable impact on his London debut at Wigmore Hall.

His performance was met with high praise for his brilliance and musicality, demonstrating a unique versatility beyond mere technical excellence.

His recital at Wigmore Hall allowed audiences to appreciate his finesse and interpretative artistry, receiving standing ovations for his performance of works by composers such as Liszt, Rachmaninov, Bach, and Beethoven.

The recital showcased Lim’s sensitivity, his refined purity of sound, and a profound understanding of the music, leading him to be highly praised by critics from The Times, Evening Standard, and The Guardian

Following this successful debut, Lim is expected to continue his worldwide tour, providing audiences across the globe an opportunity to experience his prodigious talent.

The anticipation for his debut studio recording, set to be released soon, is indeed high, with music enthusiasts eagerly awaiting his next performance.

Alim Beisembayev, hailing from Kazakhstan, achieved first place in the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, a remarkable feat for a 23-year-old pianist.

His extraordinary performance earned him not just the top prize, but also the Audience Prize from Medici.TV and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Prize.

In addition to these accolades, Beisembayev’s talents have secured him a management deal with Askonas Holt, enabling him to embark on a European tour.

With his debut album released by Warner Classics, Beisembayev’s interpretation of Liszt’s Transcendental Études is lauded for its dazzling virtuosity, clarity, and beautiful rendering of the more poetic pieces.

His debut recording, which features live performances from the Leeds competition, includes solo works by Scarlatti, Ravel, and Ligeti.

Imogen Cooper, Chair of the Jury, expressed admiration for his performance, predicting a distinguished future for him in the music industry.

This is subjective and depends on personal preferences. However, names like Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, and Frédéric Chopin often come up in such discussions.

2. Who Are Some Contemporary Classical Pianists Worth Listening To?

Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, and Lang Lang are just a few of the many talented contemporary classical pianists.

3. What Makes a Pianist Great’

A combination of technical skill, emotional understanding of the music, innovative interpretations, and the ability to connect with the audience all contribute to a pianist’s greatness.

And there you have it, folks! The top 30 greatest classical pianists who’ve left an indelible mark on the world of music. Their extraordinary talent, passion, and dedication to their craft have given us timeless masterpieces that continue to inspire and move us.

In the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” So, let’s make no mistakes and let the music play on!