Unknown Great Pianists

[Alde]

Let's start a post where we talk about world class pianists other then Horowitz, Cziffra, Argerich, etc.  I mean great pianists that nobody knows about and deserve some attention.  I'm talking about the pianist that came in 3rd place in a major competition, pianists that died early in life or a pianist that just never entered competitions.
Tell us about where they are from, who they studied with, where you heard them perform, what they performed, what was spectacular, etc.

[Waldszenen]

Joaquin Achucarro (can't spell it)

Magnificent pianist

He's pretty old and has been playing for all his life - and still hasn't quite achieved anything BIG, although he more than deserves to.


I saw him play at the Sydney Opera House a while ago, playing Beethoven's PC No. 4 and Tschaikowsky's No. 1.

[etudes]

Byron Janis

[allthumbs]

Greetings

Well, recently I came across a wonderful pianist named Robert Silverman, who was a piano professor at the University of British Columbia here where I live (Vancouver, BC) until he retired recently. He is still performing concerts around the country.

I contacted him by e-mail and ordered his fabulous 10 CD boxed set of Beethoven's 32 Piano Sonatas, after looking at his web site. He was even gracious enough to autograph the set for me.

If you love Beethoven's piano sonatas, you'll love his performance of these brilliant pieces.

Check out his web site @   https://www.robert-silverman.com/

Cheers

[Corky]

         One of the greatest pianists I have ever heard is Sergi Babayon (SP.)  He teaches at the Cleavland Institute of Music, and has only a few students.  Few times will you ever hear a pianist with such a control of sound, as well as of coloration of harmonies in music.  If you haven't heard of him, ask around.  Someone will have, and after they've heard him, they'll tell you just what I did.

[tds]

unknown great pianists? *wonders* ...oh, perhaps quite a number of them are here? tds

[Dazzer]

ME!!!!

- wish wish wish upon a star during a blue moon -

haha ... ah well i can dream.

[tds]

there! we got one as a start. tds

[presto agitato]

Benjamin Frith: He won Gold Medal and first prize in the Rubistein Competition 1989. He plays for NAXOS

Tony Macalpine: Guitar and Piano Virtuoso 

Vitalij Kuprij: His playing of Liszt´s Sonatas in B minor is the best ive heard. www.vitalijkuprij.com

Aguistin Anievas: The best with Chopin´s Etudes

[Rockitman]

I totally concur about Babayan.   He was awesome when I saw him last year. 
His playing of Liszt is incredible!   
He also was just here performing with our Philharmonic and played Brahms' second.
I didn't get to attend but the review was fabulous. 
Sergei Babayan is top drawer people!

[Alde]

Ronald Turini (Canada)

Turini was a student of Vladimir Horowitz.  He was a Steinway Artist and has performed in Carnegie Hall 3 times.  He has had a busy career in the 60's but slowed down inorder to teach at the University of Western Ontario.  He is trully one of the best.  His playing reminds me of Gilels.  Unfortunately he doesn't want to perform anymore.

It's sad because he made phenomenal recordings, however on records and not CDs.  Who has a record player?  If you ask older pianists, they probably have heard of Ronald Turini.  He's more of a legend, but really should perform more to share this musical gift with the world.

[fred smalls]

Mischa Levitsky Un pianist tres superb!
Naxos has his complete recordings in their historical line.
Quickly, get to your nearest naxos dealer and buy them now for only 2 x $7!!!!

[tds]

another protege of horowitz, eduardus halim. tds

[ted]

If the term can be broadened to include other genres aside from classical and the concert stage, several names spring to mind, but two will do for a start.

Ray Turner, the Hollywood pianist, has possibly been heard, through films, by more people than any player of his time. There is an excellent CD of him available from the Shellwood Studios site. Although most famous for his playing of the so called "novelty" solos, he had tremendous musicianship and was equally at home in classical and jazz.

Ever since I first heard him, I have felt that David Thomas Roberts is a special voice in both playing and composition. I have little doubt he will retrospectively be considered a important figure in piano music. What happens in his lifetime remains to be seen. 

[onemanband]

I am one of Ronald Turini 's students and he is both a nice teacher and a kind old man.

[AvoidedCadence]

Ron Turini (see above) - from seeing him play Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Schumann, .... he has made several recordings but for some reason I've never listened to any.   When he plays (at school) the music is just so simple, not ostentatious, but can be very moving.  Some of his performances I thought most memorable were (aside from part the Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto, in masterclass) his sight-reading of a suite by one of Bach's sons, and the A-flat major impromptu (the slow, chordal one - never played as it's considered too boring) - both just SANG in a way I can't describe.   He is neither an old-fashioned pianist with no respect for notes/scores nor (of course) a modern technical machine - just Ron Turini, a pianist from the Golden Age.

[Waldszenen]

The guy who won first prize during the year when Ivo Pogorelich was kicked of the Chopin Competition.

[brewtality]

Noel Mewton-Wood. He's a bit of a forgotten pianist which is sad. The only biographical info that i know came from the liner notes to a box set i have. He led a tragic life but his recordings speak for themselves. Tozer was supposedly his reincarnation but I don't think he can compare to Noel.

Hirofumi Uematsu. Another mysterious figure, I don't know much about him except that he's japanese and is a damn fine pianist. His SS/Liszt/Horowitz Danse Macabre is an incredibly exciting and speed-record breaking performance.

[thracozaag]

So many, both living and deceased:

Cyprien Katsaris
Ignaz Tigerman
Jacob Lateiner
Ernst Levy
Witold Malcuzynski
Robert Goldsand
Yves Nat
Sergio Fiorentino
Marie-Thérčse Lefebvre
Victor Merzhanov
Nikolai Petrov
Joseph Villa
Mark Hambourg
Mischa Levitski
Leo Sirota
Emil Von Sauer
Samuel Feinberg
Paul Jacobs
Vladimir DePachman

  and many many many more that were sadly left off the "great" pianists series...

koji (STSD)

[pseudopianist]

Vladimir Ovchinnikov (His transcendental etudes are just stunning)
Byron Janis

[Alde]

So many, both living and deceased:

Cyprien Katsaris
Ignaz Tigerman
Jacob Lateiner
Ernst Levy
Witold Malcuzynski
Robert Goldsand
Yves Nat
Sergio Fiorentino
Marie-Thérčse Lefebvre
Victor Merzhanov
Nikolai Petrov
Joseph Villa
Mark Hambourg
Mischa Levitski
Leo Sirota
Emil Von Sauer
Samuel Feinberg
Paul Jacobs
Vladimir DePachman

  and many many many more that were sadly left off the "great" pianists series...

koji (STSD)

Wow!  I could only recognise 7 of these pianists.  And to think I only know of them by name.  Thanks for the list, because now I will think twice the next time I am CD shopping.

[maxy]

Fiorentino is awesome!  He really deserves more recognition. I had never heard about him before coming to these forums, such a shame!!!

But I will have to disagree with the listing of Yves Nat...   I listened to his Schumann and Beethoven and I find it simply awful...  I have never used that word before to describe the execution of a professional pianist.  When you talk about "locked wrist" technique, you can pretty much hear it in his playing.  It gave birth to an awful "french" school with names such as Samcan (if I mispelled it, I don't care), Berov (hey, he destroyed his right hand) and Collard.

How about adding Kentner, Ciani and Brunhoff to the "unknown" list? 

 

[etudes]

Abram Chasins (am not sure about spelling)

[etudes]

Pierre-Laurent Aimard
he is very great
i saw his Messiaen
fiorentino also very great i love some of his record anyone has his transcription on widmung (like liszt done)but not really the same

[thracozaag]

Fiorentino is awesome!  He really deserves more recognition. I had never heard about him before coming to these forums, such a shame!!!

But I will have to disagree with the listing of Yves Nat...   I listened to his Schumann and Beethoven and I find it simply awful...  I have never used that word before to describe the execution of a professional pianist.  When you talk about "locked wrist" technique, you can pretty much hear it in his playing.  It gave birth to an awful "french" school with names such as Samcan (if I mispelled it, I don't care), Berov (hey, he destroyed his right hand) and Collard.

How about adding Kentner, Ciani and Brunhoff to the "unknown" list? 

 

  Kentner's Liapunov etudes are phenomenal.  Ciani was a tragic early loss, and Brunhoff was a wonderful pianist, I agree.  Gotta disagree about Nat though, I think his Schumann and Beethoven is superlative.

koji (STSD)

[pbr2005]

Just technically speaking, a pianist named Leonid Kuzmin had the best technique I ever heard.

[Waldszenen]

So many, both living and deceased:

Cyprien Katsaris
Ignaz Tigerman
Jacob Lateiner
Ernst Levy
Witold Malcuzynski
Robert Goldsand
Yves Nat
Sergio Fiorentino
Marie-Thérčse Lefebvre
Victor Merzhanov
Nikolai Petrov
Joseph Villa
Mark Hambourg
Mischa Levitski
Leo Sirota
Emil Von Sauer
Samuel Feinberg
Paul Jacobs
Vladimir DePachman

  and many many many more that were sadly left off the "great" pianists series...

koji (STSD)

Oooh, the only ones I know are Fiorentino, Petrov and von Sauer.

[brewtality]

Oooh, the only ones I know are Fiorentino, Petrov and von Sauer.

you haven't heard of Katsaris or de Pachmann? i thought they were well known. I've been meaning to get the Levy recordings on Marston, the Sauer sold out unfortunately.

[thracozaag]

you haven't heard of Katsaris or de Pachmann? i thought they were well known. I've been meaning to get the Levy recordings on Marston, the Sauer sold out unfortunately.

  The new Levy recording just came out! One of the best Brahms-handel and Ballades Op. 10 I've ever heard.

koji (STSD)

[thracozaag]

Just technically speaking, a pianist named Leonid Kuzmin had the best technique I ever heard.

  I heard him as a kid (playing among other things Prokofiev's 7th sonata) and was completely blown away.  What's happened to him since (this was back at the Stravinsky competition in 1987)?

koji

[Alde]

Abram Chasins (am not sure about spelling)

I didn't even know that he was a pianist.  I am however aware of all his publications.

I just found this website https://www.lib.umd.edu/PAL/IPAM/IPAMchasins.html for more information.

Looks like he was a phenomenal talent back in the day...

[presto agitato]

Last month i saw Dang Thai Son (winner of Chopin competion in 1980) playing Grieg´s concerto.

Great pianist, his hands fly with the power of a rocket but also with the elegance of a boing.

[daemon]

John Tesh

[claudio]

Joâo Carlos Martins is also rarely quoted though he is (was?) one of the
greatest JSBach interpreters ever.

[ahmedito]

According to my teacher (Galina Eguiazarova) her greatest pupil was: María Stembolskaya (well known in Russia)

She taught Radu Lupu and Arcadi Volodos, so believe me, I am very curious to hear Stembolskaya.

[etudes]

I didn't even know that he was a pianist.  I am however aware of all his publications.

I just found this website https://www.lib.umd.edu/PAL/IPAM/IPAMchasins.html for more information.

Looks like he was a phenomenal talent back in the day...

he studied with Josef Hoffmann(spelling)
also compose some nice music

[fred smalls]

Last month i saw Dang Thai Son (winner of Chopin competion in 1980) playing Grieg´s concerto.

Great pianist, his hands fly with the power of a rocket but also with the elegance of a boing.

He is amazing. I saw him play Chopin and Debussy. Very expressive! I have his autograph 

[allthumbs]

Greetings

John Tesh

                                  JOHN TESH!!!?

Good one hahahahehehe (falls off piano bench)


Cheers

[presto agitato]

Allow me to add Gary Oldman.

[Waldszenen]

He plays guitar, too.

[Chrysalis]

misha goldstein, klara wurtz, bart van oort

[rob47]

Ron Turini (see above) - from seeing him play Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Schumann, .... he has made several recordings but for some reason I've never listened to any.   When he plays (at school) the music is just so simple, not ostentatious, but can be very moving.  Some of his performances I thought most memorable were (aside from part the Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto, in masterclass) his sight-reading of a suite by one of Bach's sons, and the A-flat major impromptu (the slow, chordal one - never played as it's considered too boring) - both just SANG in a way I can't describe.   He is neither an old-fashioned pianist with no respect for notes/scores nor (of course) a modern technical machine - just Ron Turini, a pianist from the Golden Age.

Oh ya Ron's the man.  His rendition of Liszt's rendition of 'the Trout" is also awseome.And he drives a pimped out car these days too.

[etudes]

Dean Kramer
Micha Levitsky(spell)
Koji Attwood  MTS 


maybe really unknown great pianist is Bernhard 

[musicsdarkangel]

         One of the greatest pianists I have ever heard is Sergi Babayon (SP.)  He teaches at the Cleavland Institute of Music, and has only a few students.  Few times will you ever hear a pianist with such a control of sound, as well as of coloration of harmonies in music.  If you haven't heard of him, ask around.  Someone will have, and after they've heard him, they'll tell you just what I did.

Babayon is great.  I am going to attempt to get him for grad school.

Lawrence Campbell - My teacher.  Am I biased?  Actually no, I don't look up to all of my teachers like I do him.  He teaches at Illinois Wesleyan and played a concert a couple of months ago, including Mozart sonata f minor, some Chopin, and Liszt (Dante sonata)  He is also performing the B minor sonata in November.

His control over color is incredible, and I did not even hear one mistake throughout the concert.  Just as he is at teaching it, he is phenominal at playing Mozart, and I prefer his interpretation over any Mozart I've heard (this includes Brendel).  He had not one ounce of nerves.

He studied with someone named Pauline at Northwestern U, and at Indiana U, studied with Shebok (BIG name, especially in Hungary).

It's funny, he only parcipated in one big competition (the Young Artists at Chicago), which he won, and he decided that instead of being a touring pianist, he wanted to be a College Professor, so he got his doctrate, and beat out 200 other pianists (including pianists from CIM, Joulliard, Indiana) for his position at Wesleyan.

It was funny, during the Chopin, there was a passage where he had to play around 7 octaves running up, and he did it so quickly and easily, that all of the pianists in the audience looked at eachother, even an accompanist who won the Rach 3 competition....it was ridiculous.

An amazing teacher as well as pianist, I chose him over many others from select conservatories. 

[thalbergmad]

Simon Barere.  Best Liszt-Don Juan ever

[kapelli]

Dmitri Alexeev,
Arthur Schooendwoerd
And the no1  - Samosn Francois

And what about Lazar Berman - phenomenal pianist, but he istn't known to the wide liesteneres.

[decadent]

Kuzmin is absolutely phenomenal, anyone who hasn't heard him needs to do so.  He has 7 or 8 CDs on the Russian Disc label.  I don't understand how such an incredible pianist can be so little known.  His "Encore" CD contains some of the most amazing playing I have heard.  Some of his recordings are quite hard to find, it took me a long time to collect them all, but the effort was well worth it.

[decadent]

Oh, and Kuzmin's Islamey beats Gavrilov's or Ogdon's anyday. (Don't get me wrong, I love both of those pianists' playing)

[ahmedito]

Eldar Nebolsin.

A very young pianist, assistant chamber music proffesor at the Reina Sofia. He has two CDs with Decca which are phenomenal. He is probably one of my favorite pianists ever.

[Demidoff]

Olga Kern, who won the Cliburn competition a few years ago, is a huge talent, a fierce lady at the piano! Her interpretation of a Samuel Barber fugue left me stunned!
Maybe a bit hard sound, though.