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Such a difficult question to conjecture... I suppose it depends on what composer the pianist is playing. For example, I really love how Misuko Uchida plays Mozart Sonatas. Does that make her my favorite. No. Not by any stretch. Horowitz always comes to mind. I remember gifting Jason a boxed set of CDs of Horowitz - one his favorites, when we met long ago. We have an extensive collection of so many great pianists: Barenboim, Brendel, Rubinstein, Richter, Gould... pretty much runs the gamut.
I would have to say we both love Horowitz though, and he became even more special to Jason as while he was preparing for his BM recital, he played Beethoven's 109 during a master class with Eduardus Halim - one of Horowitz's students. Jason always says if he were to go for a MA (which he swears he never will), he would want to study with Mr. Halim because of his lineage. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during that masterclass.
I don't know... you tell me? Who is yours? And how can you arrive at just ONE favorite?~Denise
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Denise For me it always comes down to my favorite pianist for THE PIECE. For example: Glenn Gould with Goldberg Variations, Horowitz with Rachmaninoff 2nd piano Sonata and more!
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts Denise!!
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I admire so many pianists. I'm thankful for things like Youtube so I can watch various performances and get inspiration. Right now I'm in love with Martha Argerich. She seems to have the most brilliant technique and I love to watch her hands work. I also love Andras Schiff for his intellect and how he articulates the importance of Bach.
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The answer changes from time to time but right now, this guy impresses the hell outta me.
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Mat
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Hannahong
I like him to, especially his Bach!
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This one is easy for me, for I have a clear favorite, and she's been "with me" for a long time know. Her name is Gabriela Montero, (for those who not know) she's a Venezuelan pianist, with a big heart and an extraordinary gift for improvising in the classical style. Besides being a fantastic pianist.
I have been fortunate to hear her in concert several times, and witnessed her gift. In 2016 I travelled to Leipzig to be there when she premiered her first self written piano concerto (nicknamed the Latin Concerto). This is a very treasured memory for me. I even got to meet her after the concert, when she was signing CDs.
On a personal note, I really love improvisation, and have done so all my life trying to create in the moment. I have always been striving for freedom musically at the piano, and go wherever I want to go. I have understood that to do so one must understand the structures of the music really well. One can't just "play", and hope something brilliant will come out. (witch I have done to many times..)
I think doing this in the classical style is something really special, and it brings to mind the great composers how they where awesome improvisers as well.
This is a link to the concert that blew my mind back in 2009.
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Narrowing down to just one artist is challenging! I think overall my favorite classical pianist is Jorge Bolet - I consistently love his interpretations and repertoire choices. There are so many others I regularly listen to though - Earl Wild, Gilels, Freire, Rubinstein and a dozen others. On the Jazz side it is a toss up between Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.
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Love many, but Rachmaninoff is my absolute favorite. I only wish there were more recordings of his playing.
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Jennifer Hi, Rachmaninoff did a lot of recordings with RCA Victor in Camden NJ. and with the Philadelphia Orchestra working with both Stokowsky and Ormandy conducting.
https://www.amazon.com/Sergei-Rachmaninoff-Complete-Recordings/dp/B000003FB7
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My favorite is Glen Gould. Such a unique piano player. For contemporary one, it is Mr. Ryuichi Sakamoto. His piano composition and playing are very beautiful.
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So many fantastic pianist but I think Danil Trifonov is my current favourite
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Liberace, hear me out!
The man would walk into a massive sold out show in Vegas and get a standing ovation for playing Bach, Liszt, and Mozart. He'd fill those masterpieces with variations and embellishments that were uniquely his own to the point at which you can recognize his playing blindfolded. Yes, they were gaudy and absurd, but so was he, so it fit. How many performers really get to the point where they can take ownership of a unique perspective on a great work that makes it their own?
Liberace lived the dream, and is a model for bringing life into modern performances of classical works. Also, Dominic and Ben should start wearing capes in their videos.-
Steven Interesting perspective! And yes, haha one day I will wear a cape!
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I鈥檝e been a die-hard romantic for my entire life, so Chopin takes the cake. But returning to piano now in my later years I鈥檓 encountering many equally compelling romantic works by other composers.
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Peter Jacobs Wonderful! There are so many wonderful works out there :)
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Horowitz
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For me, nothing beats a live performance. So from the many recordings I鈥檝e listened to over the years, the person I would have go out of my way hear is Rachmaninov.
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Dave B Rachmaninov would have been so incredible to hear. He was a legend, and world-class pianist!
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Richter, Pogorelich (1980-1995, 1999-Present on occasions), VH, Cortot, Anatol Ugorski....but honestly, it would be easier to answer something like: What is your favorite performance of (insert piece)?
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Daniel Certainly true, we have a favorite pianist depending on what the piece is!
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Beethoven
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Alejandronh15 Agreed!
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krystian Zimerman it my favorite.
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Marco Encinas he is amazing! The Best Chopin!
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