Famous pianists you should listen to at least once. Recommended pianists.
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!
- Masterpiece Performances: Introducing Japan’s World-Renowned Pianists and Their Iconic Performances
- Masterpieces of classical piano that are too beautiful for words. A gathering of delicate tones that cleanse the soul.
- [Piano Variations] A comprehensive showcase of gem-like masterpieces crafted by great composers!
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [2026] Jazz piano masterpieces: from standards to recent favorites
- [Ultra-Advanced] Even challenging for advanced players! A curated selection of highly difficult piano pieces
- Jazz Piano Masterpieces: From Classic Essentials to Contemporary Favorites
- [For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [J-POP] I want to listen to songs with impressive, beautiful piano tones! Recommended piano cover tracks
- [Obituary] Hôko (Hiroko) Nakamura Passes Away: A Collection of Quotes from the International Pianist
- [Classical] Famous Piano Works | Gem-like Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play at Least Once in Your Lifetime
- Famous jazz musicians. Players who have graced the history of jazz.
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
Famous pianists you should hear at least once. Recommended pianists (71–80)
Franz Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini No. 3 in G-sharp minor “La Campanella”Kaneko Miyuji
Miyuji Kaneko, a pianist of Hungarian and Japanese descent with sweet looks that even make him popular among madams.
Perhaps the most dazzling highlight of his career is his victory at the Bartók International Piano Competition.
This competition evaluates not only technique but also experimental value, such as innovative interpretations.
His performance of Franz Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini No.
3 in G-sharp minor “La Campanella” is one of his masterpieces.
It’s a difficult piece, but you can feel his individuality in the way he plays each note with care.
Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16Takagi Ryōma
Pianist Ryoma Takagi is known for his illustrious career, including winning first prize at the 16th Edvard Grieg International Piano Competition and second prize at the 13th Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists in Germany.
While these are not among the world’s very top-tier competitions, taking first and second place in them is a clear testament to his considerable skill.
One of his standout performances is this Edvard Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.
16.
Beyond his formidable technique, his highly sophisticated interpretation is one of his key attractions.
Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 4Andrei Gavrilov
Andrei Gavrilov is a pianist from Moscow, Russia.
From an early age, he received his first piano lessons from his mother, who had been a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus.
After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, he won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1974, at the young age of 19.
Famous pianists you should hear at least once: Recommended pianists (81–90)
Schubert: Impromptu No. 3Annerose Schmidt
Annerose Schmidt was born in Germany in 1936.
As her father was the director of a conservatory, she received a gifted musical education and made her debut in childhood.
She visited Japan several times starting in 1973.
In 1956, she won the International Robert Schumann Competition.
Beethoven: Seven Variations on “God Save the King”Cécile Ousset
Cécile Ousset is a pianist from France.
She gave her first recital at the age of five and entered the Paris Conservatory at ten.
She graduated at the top of her class at fourteen, marking a remarkable career.
She subsequently won prizes in numerous competitions and pursued an active career as a pianist.
She is now also dedicated to mentoring and discovering young talents.
Liszt: Transcendental ÉtudesFrançois-René Duchâble
François-René Duchâble is a French pianist.
He was born in Paris in 1952.
From 1964 he studied at the Paris Conservatory, and at age 13 he became the top student in the piano department.
Three years later, he was a prizewinner at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition.
Thereafter, after catching the attention of Arthur Rubinstein, he began his performing career.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3Ilana Vered
Ilana Vered is a female pianist from Israel.
She studied at The Juilliard School in New York, United States, and in 1961 she won the Young Concert Artists competition, whose winners perform at Carnegie Hall.
In 2005, she founded Music Fest Perugia, which has now become a world-renowned music festival.