A viewer from the UK, Max, posed an intriguing question: Who are the three greatest living pianists? At first, I scoffed at the idea of narrowing down all the world’s extraordinary pianists to just three. Then I had a brainstorm and came up with criteria I think you’ll find fascinating.
For this list, I limited the focus to living classical concert pianists, even though pianists of other genres also deserve recognition. At the end, I reveal the three pianists I chose based on an interesting measure. But first, let’s gain some perspective on this thought-provoking subject.
Celebrating the World’s Greatest Living Pianists
Exploring the world’s greatest living pianists is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. While ranking them definitively is impossible, several pianists have made extraordinary contributions to classical music. Here’s an overview of some of these exceptional artists:
The oldest living student of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ruth Slenczynska has a career spanning over nine decades. She began performing at the age of 4! Her interpretations of Chopin Etudes, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff are particularly noteworthy. She released her most recent album on Deutsche Grammophon just a couple of years ago—remarkable for someone nearing 100 years of age!
Alfred Brendel was the first modern pianist to record all of Beethoven’s works. His extensive repertoire includes Schubert and Mozart. One of my favorite piano recordings as a child was his performance of Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz.
Known for her spellbinding speed and profound substance, Martha Argerich has captivated audiences worldwide. I remember hearing her at Lincoln Center as a child. My father’s record producer, Alan Silver, marveled at how her speed was imbued with magic, creating a fresh and captivating approach.
Daniel Barenboim excels as both a pianist and conductor. His interpretations of Beethoven and Mozart are admired for their maturity and insight, making him a versatile and respected musician.
Co-winner of the 1962 Tchaikovsky Competition alongside my teacher, John Ogdon, Vladimir Ashkenazy is celebrated for his technical mastery and emotional depth. His repertoire spans from Bach to Rachmaninoff.
Certainly one of the world’s great pianists, Pollini brings precision, clarity, and intellectual depth to his performances, particularly in works by Chopin and Debussy.
Grigory Sokolov offers unique, introspective interpretations. His personal, expressive style sets his performances apart.
Renowned for her poetic sensitivity, Maria João Pires delivers profound interpretations of Mozart, Chopin, and a wide range of other composers.
András Schiff’s performances of Bach’s French Suites and Beethoven’s sonatas are celebrated for their clarity and depth.
One of the most beloved pianists today, Emanuel Ax is known for his warmth and expressive touch, both in solo and chamber music performances.
Murray Perahia is highly esteemed for his refined and poetic interpretations, particularly of classical repertoire.
Ivo Pogorelich gained fame not by winning, but by losing the Chopin Competition. Martha Argerich, one of the judges, was so incensed when he was not advanced to the next round that she walked out in protest. This dramatic gesture caused a major stir, bringing international attention to Pogorelich and propelling his career to new heights.
Krystian Zimerman’s technical precision and refined touch make him one of the most distinctive pianists performing today.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet is celebrated for his elegance, technical brilliance, and extensive repertoire.
Leif Ove Andsnes is known for his refined interpretations and profound understanding of the music he performs.
Evgeny Kissin
Evgeny Kissin’s spellbinding technique and musical depth have secured his position as one of the leading pianists of our time.
Lang Lang
Lang Lang is a global ambassador for classical music. He captivates audiences with his unique interpretations and technical prowess, unafraid to bring a personal voice to his performances.
Known for her technical brilliance and expressive playing, Yuja Wang performed the complete Rachmaninoff works for piano and orchestra at Carnegie Hall—an extraordinary achievement!
Khatia Buniatishvili’s passionate performances and remarkable speed bring a distinctive voice to her interpretations. Her Mephisto Waltz is a must-listen—it will make other renditions seem slow by comparison!
Blind since birth, Nobuyuki Tsujii delivers impeccable performances, showcasing extraordinary talent and determination. His story is beautifully captured in the documentary A Surprise in Texas.
And Now: The Final 3 Greatest Pianists!
For my final three choices, I selected the youngest pianists on this incredible level, offering the promise of decades of artistic growth and contribution:
Daniil Trifonov’s technical brilliance and deep musicality have quickly established him as a leading pianist of his generation. His live performance of the complete Liszt Transcendental Etudes is astounding.
At a remarkably young age, Alexander Malofeev has already gained international acclaim for his powerful performances and emotional depth.
As the youngest winner of the Cliburn Competition, Yunchan Lim’s recordings of Chopin Etudes and Liszt demonstrate an exceptional level of talent. At just 20 years old, his playing is on par with the greatest pianists in the world.
Conclusion
This list highlights just a selection of the extraordinary pianists enriching the classical music world today. The final three represent the future of piano artistry, offering years of musical exploration ahead. Each pianist on this list brings a unique voice and interpretation, contributing to the rich tapestry of classical music.
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2 thoughts on “Who Are the 3 Greatest Living Pianists?”
Thank you Robert! This is a real eye-popping and surreal overview of so many outstanding pianists. Absolutely mind boggling for the abundance of both disciplined and creative talent, many of whom were given special gifts.
It’s amazing how many great pianists there are in this world!