RAG MusicPiano
A web magazine to help you enjoy the piano even more

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!

Famous pianists you should listen to at least once. Recommended pianists (111–120)

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique”Petra Somlai

Petra Somlay is a pianist from Budapest, Hungary.

The piece performed is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.

8 in C minor, Op.

13, “Pathétique.” Considered one of the three great piano sonatas, this work is regarded as an early masterpiece.

Report a problem

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minorTiffany Poon

Tiffany Poon – Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in C Sharp Minor
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minorTiffany Poon

Tiffany Poon is a pianist born in Hong Kong.

The piece performed is the Hungarian Rhapsody No.

2 in C-sharp minor, written for solo piano by the Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt.

There is also an orchestral version transposed to D minor.

Report a problem

List: Liebesträume No. 3Arisu=Sara·O tto

A female pianist from Munich, Germany, born to German and Japanese parents.

She is also one of the busiest pianists in the world.

Beyond her exceptional technique, her graceful, feminine expressiveness coupled with hidden passion and strength moves audiences’ hearts.

In addition to her work as a pianist, she showcases her creative talents by contributing designs to the bag line of JOST Bags, a renowned German luxury brand, and by collaborating with Chaumet, the French luxury maison, building strong relationships with leading brands around the world.

HATSUMI
Report a problem

Takashi Niigaki: Sonata for PianoAragaki Takashi

Takashi Niigaki: Sonata for Piano (a composition he wrote around his third year of junior high school)
Takashi Niigaki: Sonata for PianoAragaki Takashi

Takashi Niigaki works as a composer and pianist.

His name became widely known to the public following the 2014 ghostwriter scandal, and recently he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs.

Sonata for Piano is a piece Niigaki composed when he was in his third year of junior high school.

Report a problem

Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60Tō Taizan

Dang Thai Son is a pianist born in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1958.

He currently resides in Montreal, Canada.

In 1980, he became the first Asian to win the International Chopin Piano Competition.

The Barcarolle is said to originate from the songs of Venetian gondoliers.

It is one of the finest masterpieces from Chopin’s late period, brilliantly blending narrative and lyricism.

Report a problem

In conclusion

This time, I introduced primarily classical pianists who are active on the world stage.

Since the piano isn’t an instrument like the guitar where you can apply effects, there’s no difference in timbre—but it’s astonishing how a single variation in touch can completely change the nuance and atmosphere of the same piece.

Each pianist has their own individuality: some excel at virtuosic works, some can also play jazz, and some have a gentle, delicate touch.

Even with a similar tone, the personality that seeps through in their performance can be entirely different.

I hope you’ve found a favorite pianist this time.