Giving a good account of the greatest piano players on the planet, is an incredibly difficult thing, due to the fact that there are just too many that meet that description. However, there are certain pianists that it would not be possible to omit from any such account. Widely thought as the most important person in the period between the Classical and Romantic, Beethoven is one of these musicians. The fact that he continued to produce music even once he had lost his hearing entirely in the 1790s, makes his already grand contribution to classical music, all the more impressive.
Franz Liszt is also worth mentioning, working in the 19th century he was a Hungarian master at piano. After earning a reputation in 19th Europe as a pianist with a formidable technical skill, he was apparently referred to as the greatest pianist of all time. A part of the "Neudeutsche Schule" ("New German School") his style was predictive of many 20th century ideas, and he created some lasting takes on musical form, including the symphonic poem, and thematic transformation.
Another composer and pianist worth mentioning is the Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, who was born in 1873. Though his early compositions did not meet many people's tastes at the time, he was nonetheless renowned for being a skilled pianist. The criticism of his early work caused him to stop writing for a while, but he made a comeback with a much matured sound and became very popular. His uniquely widely spaced chords and the bell like sounds they made were distinctive of him, and due to his famously big hands.
Chopin, of polish descent, is also a pianist who is widely loved. His pieces were known for requiring an advanced technical skill for playing them. Even in his very early years he was famous for his talents, and was called a child prodigy. He made his living from by composing and teaching, and so played little public shows, but still went on to become world renowned.
The greatest pianists on the planet, however, are not just limited to 18th and 19th century classical pianists. Ray Charles is a good example of a modern innovator, playing a distinctive mixture of soul, rhythm and blues, and gospel. He is famous for both his musical and social impact.
Franz Liszt is also worth mentioning, working in the 19th century he was a Hungarian master at piano. After earning a reputation in 19th Europe as a pianist with a formidable technical skill, he was apparently referred to as the greatest pianist of all time. A part of the "Neudeutsche Schule" ("New German School") his style was predictive of many 20th century ideas, and he created some lasting takes on musical form, including the symphonic poem, and thematic transformation.
Another composer and pianist worth mentioning is the Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, who was born in 1873. Though his early compositions did not meet many people's tastes at the time, he was nonetheless renowned for being a skilled pianist. The criticism of his early work caused him to stop writing for a while, but he made a comeback with a much matured sound and became very popular. His uniquely widely spaced chords and the bell like sounds they made were distinctive of him, and due to his famously big hands.
Chopin, of polish descent, is also a pianist who is widely loved. His pieces were known for requiring an advanced technical skill for playing them. Even in his very early years he was famous for his talents, and was called a child prodigy. He made his living from by composing and teaching, and so played little public shows, but still went on to become world renowned.
The greatest pianists on the planet, however, are not just limited to 18th and 19th century classical pianists. Ray Charles is a good example of a modern innovator, playing a distinctive mixture of soul, rhythm and blues, and gospel. He is famous for both his musical and social impact.