The most successful pianists ever

[pianoplayjl]

Modified: Can anyone suggest what are some of the great/or financially successful pianists who have amassed a large fortune?

I'll start: Liszt. As I read somewhere, he was so sucessful he had enough money to donate to charity and raise funds for a Beethoven statue to be erected. Any others you know of?

JL

[j_menz]

First a quibble: I don't agree with your equation of "most successful" and "amassed a large fortune".

Apart form that, most of the great pianists did pretty well financially from performing (and later on, recording).

The poor ones were the composers who didn't have a long performing career.

[sevencircles]

Can anyone suggest what are some of the great pianists who have amassed a large fortune?

Liberace 

Elton John doesn´t count I guess 

I wonder how much Horowitz earned? Propably not as much as most people believe. 

[pianoplayjl]

Liberace 

I looked on wikiepdia. He indulged himself with his riches and spoiled himself.

Elton John doesn´t count I guess 

I guess he doesn't. But I read on wikipedia a few months ago in a steinway article that he is one of the 2000 or so artists who perform reguarly on and ONLY on Steinway and sons pianos. So I guess he has to be called a pianist somewhat. At least he plays better than me.

I wonder how much Horowitz earned? Propably not as much as most people believe. 

I wonder too....If you say that he didn't earn as much as people thought, think again. Money is not a problem. He definitely earnt fame and respect from the piano world and an eduring legacy that will stand the test of time. He even earned the presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian medal in the Usa that can be bestowed by the President. Hmm, I wonder which other pianists also earned that medal. Probably it is just him and Only him. 

JL

[jesc]

"Great" usually implies sort of immortality, like being remembered. Not necessarily financial success. Current examples: How people would always refer to Argerich, Horowitz, Rubinstein...

Should've been titled "Pianists who benefited from their career the most."

[pianoplayjl]

"Great" usually implies sort of immortality, like being remembered. Not necessarily financial success. Current examples: How people would always refer to Argerich, Horowitz, Rubinstein...

Should've been titled "Pianists who benefited from their career the most."

Ok Ok, I get what you mean. I just wanted to know who are the pianists who have a financially good career though not necessarily a quality master like Horowitz or Rubenstein. Lang Lang comes to mind. Though he is only a mediocre pianist, he is currently one of the hottest pianists on the market around. People just like to go see him despite his consistent streak of bad performances. Something attracts them. Perhaps his theatrics that are shown while playing the piano. He resembles a clown sometimes.

JL

[thalbergmad]

Thalberg was thought to have earned in excess of $150,000 for his two seasons in America in the 1850's which equates to over $3 million today. He averaged over $500 per concert (approx $10,000 today) which was far more than either Rubinstein, von Bulow or Paderewski earned on their later tours.

Thal

[pianoplayjl]

Thalberg was thought to have earned in excess of $150,000 for his two seasons in America in the 1850's which equates to over $3 million today. He averaged over $500 per concert (approx $10,000 today) which was far more than either Rubinstein, von Bulow or Paderewski earned on their later tours.

Thal

But he didn't get the fame he deserved nowadays. Had he stayed in Europe I think he might have a far more enduring legacy. Perhaps his popularity might be along the lines of Liszt. The reason I'm saying this is because Europe at the time was a more developed country while America is a country far away from Europe (at the time) and they were in a political turmoil. And also Europe was the centre of Classical music with many cities with many opportunities. I am very surprised that Thalberg is not remembered today in America. At least in their classical music.

JL

[cmg]

Teresa Carreno and Xaver Schwarwenka.

The former was multi-talented and in world demand, plus she married and divorced multiple times, undoubtedly cashing in with some ex-husbands.  

The latter was enormously famous as pianist/composer and had at least two, huge cash-cow piano conservatories to teach the masses:  one in Europe and one in America (NYC).

Mendelssohn:  born into a vastly wealthy family who had people like Goethe over for dinner.  Not many laughs at those dinner parties, I imagine, but what a guest list.

Van Cliburn.  His astonishing victory at the Tchaikovsky in Moscow made him a cultural hero all over the globe.  It was the height of the Cold War and Van was the Big Thaw.  Temporarily, of course.  New York City gave him a homecoming ticker tape parade.  Not easily gotten.  He was a household name throughout the world.  Say "piano," and people thought, "Van Cliburn."  He didn't perform for long, but asked and received huge fees.  He's a rich, happy man (I hope) in Texas now.  God love ya, Van!  When you played at your best, it was pure magic.

Barenboim, Ashkenazy, John Williams and Jimmy Levine (yes, the latter two were both first and foremost pianists and studied with Rosina Lhevinne at Juilliard -- Jimmy is the Met marvel and John Williams the great film composer.)  Barenboim and Askenazy both have booming industries as pianist/conductors. They HAVE  to be rolling in filthy piles of cash.

Thalbergmad:  British virtuoso, once reduced to living in a dumpster due to excesses with Hanon, but later revered and enriched for his world-famous Henselt Archive.

[jesc]

Interesting lists, quite a good topic.

Note also that Mendelssohn was a child prodigy who died quite young. A lot are speculating what could have been if he wasn't taken so early.

[pianoplayjl]

Interesting lists, quite a good topic.

Note also that Mendelssohn was a child prodigy who died quite young. A lot are speculating what could have been if he wasn't taken so early.

Possibly he wouldn't have been as great a composer and a pianist. I find that people who last longer composing and performing have  a more enduring legacy than those who retired early or started late.

JL

[cmg]

Interesting lists, quite a good topic.

Note also that Mendelssohn was a child prodigy who died quite young. A lot are speculating what could have been if he wasn't taken so early.

Not that young for those days.  He was 38. In the prime of his life.  Chopin was 39 when he died.  But I agree with you:  a great loss that he didn't live longer.

[pianoplayjl]

Whoops, wrong interpretation of what Jesc is saying....

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Horowitz kept 80% of his gross pay in his concerts Which is A LOT of money.