Introducing famous pianists you should listen to at least once!
Even people who aren’t into instrumentals often find themselves listening to piano pieces, right?
Unlike the guitar, the piano isn’t an instrument you run through effects, so its tonal individuality can be hard to distinguish—but that also means it appeals to a wide audience.
Here, we’re introducing professional pianists who command the piano as if it were part of their own bodies!
We’ll feature not only international pianists but also Japanese pianists.
The explanations are quite detailed, so even those who regularly listen to classical music should enjoy this!
Now, please sit back and enjoy!
Famous pianists you should listen to at least once. Recommended pianists (1–10)
Valentina Igoshina, a classical pianist from Russia, captivates audiences around the world with her passionate performances.
She has been active since the early 2000s and is especially acclaimed for her interpretations of Chopin and Liszt.
Educated at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the recipient of numerous awards, her playing is distinguished by a fusion of profound emotional expression and exceptional technique.
In 2009, she appeared in the BBC documentary “The Prince and the Composer,” which brought her international attention.
Igoshina’s performances are recommended not only for those well-versed in classical music but also for anyone who wants to be enchanted by the piano’s beautiful sound.
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 – First MovementTsujii Nobuyuki
Nobuyuki Tsujii Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 – First Movement
Nobuyuki Tsujii is a Japanese pianist born in 1988.
From birth, he had an unexplained condition called microphthalmia, in which the eyeballs do not develop, but in 2009 he became the first Japanese winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
With help from television appearances, he gained widespread popularity.
Today he is a world-renowned pianist known for his delicate and gentle tone, and he continues to captivate many people.
He has many hobbies, including swimming, skiing, skating, and mountain climbing.
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21Arthur Rubinstein
Arthur Rubinstein – Chopin – Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor, Op 21
Arthur Rubinstein (born 1887) was a Polish pianist.
He achieved international fame for his performances of works by a wide range of composers and is regarded as one of the finest pianists of his time, especially in his interpretations of Chopin.
He was also an early champion of music by Spanish and South American composers, as well as works by Ravel and Debussy.
In 1910, he won the 5th Anton Rubinstein International Piano Competition, yet he also faced hardship as a pianist who was criticized for being Jewish.
In addition to his career as a soloist, he was active as a chamber musician, recording works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Dvořák with ensembles such as the Guarneri String Quartet.
French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816András Schiff
András Schiff – Bach. French Suite No.5 in G Major BWV816
This is András Schiff, a Hungarian-born pianist born in 1953.
He began playing the piano at age five and attracted attention by winning fourth prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1974.
He is renowned for his interpretations of Bach and Mozart, and his performances are highly praised for their technical precision and profound musicality.
He has received numerous honors, including the Bartók Prize in 1991 and a knighthood in the United Kingdom in 2014.
He is an artist recommended not only for lovers of classical music but also for those who wish to rediscover the appeal of the piano.
Scarlatti: Sonata in E major, L. 23 (K. 380)Vladimir Horowitz
Domenico Scarlatti / Sonata in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) / Performed by Takahiro Sonoda
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was an American pianist born in Ukraine in 1903.
His father-in-law was the renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini.
It is said that few pianists can rival Horowitz when it comes to making the piano sing.
The composer featured in the video, Domenico Scarlatti, wrote as many as 555 harpsichord sonatas, and Horowitz almost always included Scarlatti’s sonatas in his concert programs.
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique”Krystian Zimerman
Krystian Zimerman plays Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 (Pathétique) (Complete)
A Polish pianist who began playing the piano at the age of five and made his debut performance at seven.
From his youth, he won numerous competitions at home and abroad, and after winning first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1975 at the age of 18, he went on to perform in over 2,000 concerts worldwide.
His wide-ranging repertoire is supported by solid technique and a compelling expressiveness.
He has been decorated with honors such as the French Legion of Honour and Poland’s Commander’s Cross with Star, and has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading pianists.
When it comes to world-renowned contemporary Japanese composers, isn’t this the person who comes to mind? In addition to his fame as a composer, he mainly appears as a pianist on his concert tours, showcasing his skill.
He is now famous for handling the music for Studio Ghibli works, but he originally worked as a composer of contemporary music.
Influenced by minimal music—a form of contemporary music that minimizes motion in the notes and repeats patterned figures—Hisaishi analyzed the works of his predecessors while creating his own minimal music.
Tomoharu Ushida is a pianist born in 1999 in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
Shortly after his birth, he moved to Shanghai due to his father’s job transfer.
After returning to Japan, he released his debut album, “Liebesträume,” at the age of 12—the youngest ever for a Japanese classical pianist—and gained popularity.
This piece was brought to Japan during the Meiji era along with piano method books, and it is not only well known among those who play the piano but also widely loved as a staple music box tune.
His appearance on the TV program “Untitled Concert” drew attention, and he is regarded as a fresh, upstanding young musician and one of the leading pianists of the younger generation.
Lang Lang is a Chinese pianist of national-treasure caliber.
American media have called him “a genius of our time and also its brightest idol star.” He began studying piano at age three, won a gold prize at a piano competition at five, and at fourteen performed a solo at a concert attended by the country’s then head of state, earning him the nickname “the Mozart of China.” Guided by his belief that “music is a true bridge and knows no borders; through music, I want to help children around the world realize their dreams,” he gives around 25 charity performances a year.
