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 listen to at least once. Recommended pianists (31–40)
Schubert: Four Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel is a pianist from the Czech Republic.
While his playing is not flashy or showy, his intellectual and orthodox interpretations captivate many music fans.
He excels in works by composers who represent the core of German-Austrian music, such as Haydn, Schubert, and Beethoven.
He retired in 2008 and has since been active as an educator.
Schumann–Liszt: Spring NightAnnika Treutler
Annika Treutler is a German pianist.
The piece she performs, “Spring Night,” is Franz Liszt’s piano arrangement of No.
12, “Spring Night,” from the song cycle Liederkreis, Op.
39 by the German composer Robert Schumann.
Chopin: Etude No. 3 in E major, Op. 10-3, “Farewell” (Tristesse)Yokoyama Yukio
Yukio Yokoyama is a pianist from Mitaka, Tokyo.
In 2010, he performed all 166 of Chopin’s works straight through in just under 16 hours, earning recognition from Guinness World Records as the “artist who played the most pieces solo in 24 hours.” In 2011, he updated his own Guinness record by performing, from memory, all 212 of Chopin’s solo pieces—including unpublished works—over approximately 18 hours.
Chopin: Étude No. 12, Op. 10-12 “Revolutionary”Moo moo
Niu Niu is a pianist born in 1997 in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
He even prompted the British royal Prince Charles to say he would become a “Niu Niu fan.” During his 2009 visit to Japan, he broke the youngest-performer record at Suntory Hall, lowering it from Evgeny Kissin’s 15 years old to 12.
Although this piece was published around the time of Russia’s invasion of Warsaw, the prevailing view is that Chopin composed it without envisioning a “revolution.”
Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata, D.821Nakamura Hiroko
Hiroko Nakamura was born in 1944 in Enzan Town, Higashi-Yamanashi District, Yamanashi Prefecture—now Kofu City—and grew up in Todoroki, Setagaya Ward.
Her husband is the novelist Kaoru Shoji.
In 1960, she was selected as a soloist for the NHK Symphony Orchestra’s first world tour, and it is well known that she performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto wearing a formal long-sleeved kimono (furisode).
This piece was originally a sonata for the arpeggione, but since the instrument itself has disappeared, it is now performed mostly in versions for cello or viola.
Famous pianists you should listen to at least once: Recommended pianists (41–50)
MaroShi: PiaNoFacemarashii
Marasy is a piano-focused YouTuber who’s gained popularity through playing by ear.
To be honest, among the pianists introduced here, his pure technical ability is somewhat lower.
However, a pianist’s appeal isn’t defined by skill alone.
Marasy’s charm lies in his bold performances.
Rather than delicate playing, his strength is in a powerful, daring style, and in pop music in particular he boasts outstanding individuality.
This performance, “Marasy: PiaNoFace,” is a superb example where you can fully savor his unique character and appeal.
Frederic Chopin: Minute Waltz (Waltz of the Little Dog)Ushida Tomoharu
Despite being only 12 years old, pianist Tomoharu Ushida has competed in numerous contests and achieved outstanding results.
Known for his powerful touch, it’s no exaggeration to say that he ranks among the top pianists of his age group in Asia.
Among his recordings, the one I especially recommend is “Frédéric Chopin: Minute Waltz.” While the performance is, of course, precise, you can also feel his strength shining through in various moments.