There have been a multitude of famous pianists since the piano was invented over 300 years ago. Many have made a lasting impact on world music but it is almost impossible to say which of them has had the most influence. Pianists from all genres of music: blues, rock, jazz and classical have tinkled the ivories, astounding audiences and creating music with a legacy far beyond their imaginations.
When we think about celebrated pianists, it is those from the classical world that immediately spring to mind. Many of them began their musical training from a very young age which allowed them to perfect their prodigious talents early on. Nowadays, the majority are known as composers rather than pianists.
Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Mozart's music is considered as some of the most celebrated in the world but it is important to remember that they were predominantly pianists, the piano being the instrument that sparked their careers. Polish-born Frederic Chopin was another remarkably talented young performer whose romantic compositions made him famous. Much of his music is used by those learning to play piano today.
The piano was used predominantly in the compositions of Russian-born Rachmaninoff, considered as one of the supreme talents of his generation. He is often cited as having the largest hands out of all of the famous pianists. His hands could span an incredible 14 notes on the piano which was evident in his compositions, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Preludes and others. One of Rachmaninoff's friends, Vladamir Horowitz, is also considered one of the most well known pianists of the 20th century. The performance he put on for his audiences is considered legendary.
One of the contenders for the ultimate title of best piano player the world has ever seen is Hungarian-born Franz Liszt who, at the pinnacle of his career, had European audiences bowing before him, women fawning over him and fellow musicians in awe of his skill and instrumental prowess. After stunning audiences by quitting performing to concentrate on practising, he returned with a new mastery of the instrument living up to his proclamation that, "ten fingers have the power to reproduce the harmonies which are created by hundreds of performers".
When we think about celebrated pianists, it is those from the classical world that immediately spring to mind. Many of them began their musical training from a very young age which allowed them to perfect their prodigious talents early on. Nowadays, the majority are known as composers rather than pianists.
Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Mozart's music is considered as some of the most celebrated in the world but it is important to remember that they were predominantly pianists, the piano being the instrument that sparked their careers. Polish-born Frederic Chopin was another remarkably talented young performer whose romantic compositions made him famous. Much of his music is used by those learning to play piano today.
The piano was used predominantly in the compositions of Russian-born Rachmaninoff, considered as one of the supreme talents of his generation. He is often cited as having the largest hands out of all of the famous pianists. His hands could span an incredible 14 notes on the piano which was evident in his compositions, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Preludes and others. One of Rachmaninoff's friends, Vladamir Horowitz, is also considered one of the most well known pianists of the 20th century. The performance he put on for his audiences is considered legendary.
One of the contenders for the ultimate title of best piano player the world has ever seen is Hungarian-born Franz Liszt who, at the pinnacle of his career, had European audiences bowing before him, women fawning over him and fellow musicians in awe of his skill and instrumental prowess. After stunning audiences by quitting performing to concentrate on practising, he returned with a new mastery of the instrument living up to his proclamation that, "ten fingers have the power to reproduce the harmonies which are created by hundreds of performers".
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