Which musician (non-pianist!) inspires you most?

How to narrow it down? Wilhelm Furtw:angler -- both his conducting and his writings. Lotte Lehmann, whom my father accompanied for 14 years. Thomas Hampson and his dedication to young singers and art song. Andras Schiff. Peter Schreier, especially the late collaborations with Schiff. The Jussen brothers.

Yes, where to start? Mom (a flautist) taught me music basics, and Dad gave me my first piano. Joseph Celli (oboist) introduced me to new music, and how to use one's core to express music (which I only understood 30 years later in martial arts). Charlotte was a piano teacher who introduced me to Schumann and Vladimir Horowitz, who in turn inspired a love for the Romanticists. Claire Chase (flautist) and her exuberance continue to inspire. And I continue to be thrilled everytime I hear Yevgeniy Sudbin interpret Scarlatti or Rachmaninoff. Everyone on Tonebase deserves the utmost accolades for not only inspiration but also giving the chance for mere mortals to improve, savor, and approach understanding.

I heard Gustavo Dudamel conduct the SF Symphony several times before he became famous. He is way up there in my list.   

I am inspired by Ana Vidovic, classical guitar. There is such clarity and passion in her playing.

https://youtu.be/inBKFMB-yPg

Away from the classical genre, I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash. His ability to tell a story and draw the listener in to the songs is legendary. ( https://youtu.be/8AHCfZTRGiI - from the end of his career/life, his cover of Trent Reznor's - of Nine Inch Nails - "Hurt")

The voice that keeps touching me most deeply is Kathleen Ferrier. In this recording she sings Gustav Mahler’s “Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen”. Sublime! https://youtu.be/Md-JfajEtzM

My brother is a cellist, so I know quite a few cellists (not only pianists), and I'd say that Jacqueline du Pré has always inspired me. Her Elgar concerto recording was amazing, and her early death was so tragic, but she really achieved so much during the short life she lived!

Luciano Pavarotti, hands down.

It changes by the day, but at the moment Bob Marley.  I am looking to move to a new location and my theme song is Exodus...  movement of the people.

No non-pianist has inspired me more than soprano Jessye Norman. I feel deeply grateful to have known her through my dear mentors and friends Dalton Baldwin and Mark Markham, with whom she often collaborated. Her artistry, especially in "Beim Schlafengehen" and the "Liebestod" , moves me on a profound, visceral level; those would be the last pieces I would want to hear at my deathbed. Her voice, presence, and fearless musicality continue to shape how I listen, teach, and perform. Coincidentally, today 9/15 would have been her birthday. 

Beim Schlafengehen (Strauss): https://youtu.be/Se0HPsJex04?si=Hb5FN_t2numgIF97

Liebestod (Wagner): https://youtu.be/KKKEupnO8_0?si=nLLICY7FmLLnmk-Z

Robert Spano, Yo Yo Ma, Leotyne Price

Yo Yo Ma for sure. He amazed me every time I went to see him. Always something new and interesting. He collaborates with artists from all sort of backgrounds and incorporates music from many cultures. I just went to the one he had with vocalist Angelique Kidjo and was blown away with their performance. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been. He is more than a musician. He brings people together.