Famous Piano Performers

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Here is a list of the most famous piano performers of classical music of the 20th and 21st centuries. You will also be able to view some rare recordings and videos of the greatest classical pianists.

Enjoy their style, their expression and study their technique. All these famous pianists have left us with a treasure of performances to be inspired by!

Famous Classical Pianists

Famous Piano PerformersArthur Rubinstein in 1968

Let's face it, it would be impossible to mention every brilliant and celebrated pianist that ever existed.

But here is a list of some of the most famous and brilliant pianists during the 20th and 21st centuries.

The list below is organized in chronological order, with active pianists in the end.

Tip: Double-click on a name, right-click and select "search for" (the famous piano performer's name). In this way, you can easily find out more about each individual performer!

Pianist performer on stage.

Famous Classical Pianists 1:

  • Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860 - 1941)
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943)
  • Josef Lhevinne (1874-1944)

Famous Classical Pianists 2:

  • Josef Hofmann (1876 - 1957
  • Alfred Cortot (1877-1962)
  • Artur Schnabel (1882 - 1951)
  • Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)

Famous Classical Pianists 3:

  • Dame Myra Hess (1890 - 1965)
  • Walter Gieseking (1895-1956)
  • Wilhelm Kempff (1895 - 1991)
  • Rudolph Serkin (1903 - 1991)
  • Vladimir Horowitz (1903 - 1989)
  • Claudio Arrau (1903-1991)

Famous Classical Pianists 4:

  • Sviatoslav Richter (1915 - 1997)
  • Emil Gilels (1916 - 1985)
  • Dinu Lipatti (1917-1950)
  • Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920 - 1995)

Famous Classical Pianists 5:

  • Alicia de Larrocha (1923-2009)
  • Alfred Brendel (b. 1931)
  • Glenn Gould (1932 - 1982)
  • Vladimir Ashkenazy (b. 1937)

Famous Classical Pianists 6:

  • Martha Argerich (b. 1941)
  • Maurizio Pollini (b. 1942)
  • Daniel Barenboim (b. 1942)
  • Murray Perahia (b. 1947)
  • Evgeny Kissin (b. 1971)
  • Lang Lang (b. 1982)

Famous Piano Performers of the 20th Century

Bring out the popcorn, sit comfortably, and put on your headphones for this outstanding video:

The Art Of Piano: Great Pianists of the 20th Century.

This video is a must-see for all pianists. Be amazed and inspired!

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