Considered one of the greatest composers of 20th century, this pianist left Russia after the Bolshevik revolution (went to Europe and then USA), studied with Zverev pre-conservatory, Siloti and Arensky and Taneyev.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Who lived from 1873-1943 and studied at the Moscow Conservatory. Was also known for Chopin Sonata No. 2, Schumann Carnaval, own Compositions, and is famous for distinctive rubato.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

This pianist lived in 1880-1951, was born in Moscow but has German parental origin. Studied at Moscow Conservatory and studied composition with Tanayev and Arensky. He left Russia after the Bolshevik revolution in London.

Nikolai Medtner

This pianist recorded most of their own works before death (funded by Maharaja of Mysore) all their compositions feature the piano. “Tales”, sonatas, concerti

This pianist, composer, and transcriber composed 48 opus numbers, including a children’s album and 12 piano sonatas. They are known for their transcriptions of Bach and Tchaikovsky. They were born in Odessa, Ukraine 1890 but studied and lived in Moscow. (ALexander Goldenweiser) They also taught at MC for 40 years. Big Bach hehe

Samuel Feinberg

This pianist, born in 1899, was a Moscow pianist and studied with Felix Blumenfeld. They were deeply religious (Russian Orthodox Christian) they are known for recordings of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart (very idiosyncratic interpretations)

Maria Yudina

This pianist was admired by Shostakovich, Richter, and Stalin*

She was active in philosophy and art circles.

Maria Yudina

1901-1961. Leningrad pianist, teacher (Then MC) Studied with Leonid Nikolaev. Classmate of Shostkakovich, Yudina, Elena Scriabina (married the last one)

Known for Scriabina interpretations, mostly live recordings of romantic era.

Recitals encompassing the history of keyboard music.

Admired by Gilels and Richter.

Vladimir Sofronitsky

-One of the greatest pianists of 20th century

-Born studied in Kyiv, Ukraine (Felix Blumenfeld)

-Emigrated to US in 1940

-Lots of awards like Grammy, presidential medal of freedom

-130+ recorded albums, known for romantic rep

-Transcriptions of Carmen, Danse macabre, lizt cadenza.

Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989)

Born in Ukraine 1915, lived in Moscow. Self-taught until 22. Studied with Neuhaus at MC.

Prolific and varied recording artist

Premiered Prokofiev’s Sonatas 7 and 9

Sviatoslav Richter (1917-1997)

1918-1985 considered one of the greatest pianists of 20th century

-born in ODessa

Studied with Neuhause at MC

Prolific and varied recording artist.

Emil Gilels

Moscow Pianist, teacher, and composer.

Studied at MC with Goldenweiser

(Classmates: FLier and Feinberg)

Taught at MC for 30 years, last student Lugansky.

Recorded Goldberg variations 5x

Friend of Shostakovich, played a lot of his music

Tatiana Nikolayeva

Moscow pianist teacher, and author

Studied at MC with NEuhaus

Famous for Chopin recordings and other Romantic composers

Teacher of lots of famous pianists: Babayan, Kholodenko, Lukas and Anna Geniusas

Vera Gornostayeva

Born in 1937, still alive.
Pianist, conductor, orchestrator

Emigrated in 1963, settled in ICeland

Studied with Lev Oborin

Extremely prolific recording artist as a conductor and pianist.

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Born in 1950, Leningrad (st. Petersburg) pianist. Won 1966 Tchaikovsky competition at 16. Only performs in Europe. Stopped playing with orchestras.

Cult following-famous for crystalline baroque playing and transcendent interpretations of classical and romantic

Grigory Sokolov

Moscow pianist, composer, conductor, transcriber, teacher

Studied at MC with flier, vlassenko

won 1978 tchaikovsky competition at 21

varied and prolific recording output.

ballet transceriptions

Mikhail Pletnev (b.1957)

Born in 1971 in Moscow, emigrated in 1991, lived in london, now based in Prague.

Kissin

Maria Yudina, Samuel Feinberg, Rachmaninoff, Medtner, Richter, Gilels, Nikolayeva, Gornostayeva, Ashkenazy, Pletnev, Polina OSetinskaya, and LUgansky all studied/taught at which school?

Moscow conservatory

Which school did Kissin and Trifonov study at?

Gnessin school

What school did both Sokolov and Sofronitsky attend?

Leningrad School of music

Trifonov, Lugansky, Pletnev, Sokolov, all won which competition?

Tchaikovsky competition

In our selection of pianists, who took lessons from Neuhaus?

Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Vera Gornostayeva

Who did Tatiana Nikolayeva and Samuel Feinberg both study under?

Alexander Goldenweiser