PIANISTS HALL OF FAME

Walter Gieseking 1895-1956 French born German

Known to have had a vast repertoire owing to his considerable powers of memory and flawless natural technique. I have in particular been very fond of his Ravel. His Debussy is just as amazing.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Ballade (Slave), composed in 1890.
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): L'Isle Joyeuse (The Joyous Isle)
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): Sonata K331 1st movement
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): Sonata K331 2nd movement
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): Sonata K331 3rd movement

Vladimir Horowitz 1903-1989 Russian / American

His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

F. Chopin (1810-1849): Sonata #2 Op. 35 (1839)
1. Grave - Doppio movimento
2. Scherzo
3. Marche funèbre: Lento
4. Finale: Presto

Sviatoslav Richter 1915-1997 Soviet

Well known for the depth of his interpretations, virtuoso technique, and vast repertoire, Richter is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

J. S. Bach (1685-1750): Prelude and Fugue BWV 849
F. Chopin (1810-1849): Revolutionary Étude Op. 10 #12
F. Chopin (1810-1849): Scherzo No. 1 in B minor Op. 20
F. P. Schubert (1797-1828): Fantasie in C major, D.760 "Wanderer" Part 3: Presto and Allegro
M. Ravel (1875-1937): Miroirs (1905) Noctuelles ("Night Moths") and Oiseaux tristes ("Sad Birds")
M. Ravel (1875-1937): Miroirs (1905) Alborada del gracioso ("The Gracioso's Aubade")

Moura Lympany 1916-2005 English

A Steinway artist - so only recorded on these pianos, was known for playing Chopin and Rachmaninoff and others.

F. Chopin (1810-1849): Étude Op. 10 #4 & #5
F. Chopin (1810-1849): Waltzes Op. 69 #2 and Op. 70 #1
F. Liszt (1811-1886): Transcendental Étude #5 'Feux Follets'
F. Liszt (1811-1886):Les Jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este
Claude. Debussy (1862-1918): Claire de Lune
S. Rachmaninoff (1873-1943):Prelude in G Op. 32 #5 and Prelude in B-flat Op. 23 #2

Emil Gilels 1916-1985 Soviet

Considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, Gilels is universally admired for his superb technical control. Gilels had an extensive repertoire from baroque to late Romantic and 20th century classical composers..

J. Brahms (1833-1897): Ballade Op. 10 #1
J. Brahms (1833-1897): Ballade Op. 10 #2
J. Brahms (1833-1897): Ballade Op. 10 #3
J. Brahms (1833-1897): Ballade Op. 10 #4

Dinu Lipatti 1917-1950 Romanian

Known for playing Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt and others. Known to have favored Steinway and Bechstein pianos, Lipatti's life and promising career were tragically cut short by leukemia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0085wPebZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF7JT8XzAzo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r08ZddiW74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlQ2vg4tCTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg-zhnnVlHc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJ--k4I46g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsPM2bACOtA

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-1995) Italian

Known for maintaining a relatively small performing repertoire, his mastery and precision were hallmarks of his pianism. 

Beethoven Piano Concerto #5 "Emperor" Op 73
Jan Krentz, conducting the Danish National Symphony Orchestra

Chopin Fantasie in F minor, Op. 49 
Bach-Busoni Chaconne in d-moll BWV 1004
[PART 1]
[PART 2]

Alicia de Larrocha 1923-2009 Spanish

Certainly among the greatest pianists of the 20th century, she excelled at everything she played, truly evoking the emotional depths of her considerable repertoire. Known especially for her interpretations of Spanish music and the Romantic composers.

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fantasie in C Op. 17
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv0ppwkImGw&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL7757788A0B69B1F5
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q_D1eqIKCs&feature=autoplay&list=PL7757788A0B69B1F5&lf=results_main&playnext=2
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioDlDt3WDSg&feature=autoplay&list=PL7757788A0B69B1F5&lf=results_main&playnext=3