Vote for your favorite pianist in our "Great Pianist Poll".
Mose Alison
C.P.E. Bach
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Eubie Blake
Dave Bruebeck
Victor Borge'
Frederic Chopin
Keith Emerson
Bill Evans
Earl "Fatha" Hines
Vladimir Horowitz
Billy Joel
Liberace
Thelonius Monk
Art Tatum
David Helfgott.
A little known man with astonishing talent. His
interpretation and presentation of the Rach 3 is unmatched. So little
recognition he receives, but so much he deserves. Shine.
JB
Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) was the first American to gain
world acclaim as a pianist and composer. He spent a lot of time
touring the Americas and lived a remarkable, if short, life.
Roger Hatch
My goodness, you forgot the propably best pianists all over the world, the
incarnation of Paganini, it is Franz Liszt (1811-1886) !!! There are also Ignaz Paderewsi, Ignaz Friedmann, Granger Rainer Drath
I would like to add David Helfgott to your list, and recommend that everyone who visits your site goes out RIGHT NOW to see the movie "Shine", which I hope takes all the Oscars this year.
- Chaya
Earl Wild, possibly the most under-rated virtouso of our time. What other pianist would be writing and playing such spectacular transcriptions at the ripe old age of 80? Marc-Andre Hamelin, today's Horowitz. In fact, he makes Horowitz look like an amateur. Listen to his rendition of Beethoven's 3rd Piano Concerto, transcribed by Alkan for one piano, with that absolutely horrific cadenza. Enough said.
Van Cliburn, much maligned but undeniably talented in his prime. Made Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov household words across America.
Manuel Rieder
You forgot EMIL GILELS, he is my favorite and role model as I am a
pianist myself :)
Jon T.
I should think that Patrick Moraz deserves a spot on your list. Why?
Just
listen to his 1994 release, "Windows of Time", available at Tower Records and most like stores. Carl Lumma
Donald Beattie is the most inovative and creative pianist in the
country. He plays and teaches music as a "living language". He has
taught hundreds the beauty of the piano. The Bismal
I think that David Lanz should be added to your list of great pianists.
He is carried on the Narada label and his original works are excellent.
Particularly the first piece that attracted me to his work - Cristofori's
Dream. Mary Jo Taft
I believe Pascal Roge is one of the greatest pianist of French Music.
His interpretation of Ravel, Debussy, Poulenc, Saint-Saens and many
other French composer are unprecedented. Check out his CDs (Decca) of
Ravel and Debussy Piano Music, Poulenc and Saint-Saens Piano Concertos.
Andrew James
Hororowitz called Walter Gieseking perhaps the greatest living pianist.
At the ripe old age of 16, he had already memorized the complete works of
Beethoven and by his mid-20s, all the works of Bach, Debussy and others. Jonathan Ackerman
David Evans was a superb jazz pianist. Although I am not sure what city
he was from, he was an alumni of Southeastern Louisiana University, in
Hammond, LA. M. Gail
Ray Charles: I don't believe WHY needs to be explained.
Glen Jenks, Camden, Maine:
One of our country's active and exceptional Ragtime
pianists.
Max Morath:
Another MAMMOTH ragtime pianist Submitted by Richard Farina SXMK08E Prodigy
Glenn Gould Submitted by Tom
Nice pages you've got!
I would really appreciate it if you add the jazz-pianist/keyboard player CHICK COREA to at the "great pianists" page. He has got a very good timing, and can improvise very well.
Greetings from Holland,
Paul.
I have three suggested entries for your "Great Pianists" list. If you appreciate exceptional technique, phrasing and creativity, and you enjoy jazz, it's hard to top Oscar Peterson. Also, I was quite surprised to hear the album, "Old Friends" with Andre Previn. It has some remarkable piano work on it -- especially Sweet Georgia Brown. My third suggested piano great is Billy Taylor. Check out his recent "Dr. T" record. Marvelous! David DeMuro
Never leave out the legendary Artur Rubinstein. He's the greatest!
Hans
I would like to reccomend that you add a man named Joe Pulcifer to your
list of great pianists. He can play any type music as best as it can be
played. Jon Starkey
At the top of the list should be Josef Hofmann (1876-1957), who as a child
prodigy rivalled Mozart, and was considered the greatest pianist of his
time
by Rachmaninoff, Horowitz and others. Many recordings of his are now being
reissued on CD.
One of the greatest still living is Alicia Delarrocha. Larry Lobel
I hereby wish to recommend for your greatest pianist list a man who
few will remember; possible a mere handful of admirers who during their
lifetime had the distinct priviledge of hearing him play. He was borne
into this world on June 4, 1918, and departed after 46 brief years on
November 9, 1964. The Frankford section of Philadelphia was his home
until moving to Wildwood, NJ, then Doylestown Pa. His favorite composers
were Rachmaninoff and Liszt; and he played them with an unparelled
fervor that transfixed the listener with awe. No stranger to the jazz
world, he played at the famous Cherry Inn in Willow Grove Pa. and The
Gobblers in Point Pleasant Pa. for Joe Butera's club. His style is to
this day unmatched, and he remains in my mind and heart until I depart.
He was my father, Jack Karpel.
Tell us who you would like to add to our list and why you think they should be here. Send a note to webmaster@pianoworld.com . Please put "Great Pianist" in the subject line and include your State and Country.
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