When we think of classical music and, specifically, an instrument, the piano probably comes to mind. Without a doubt, one of the instruments that produce the most beautiful and varied music imaginable.
Throughout history, many have been the virtuosos who delighted the public with their pieces. Knowing how to play the piano was a requirement to consider yourself a lady of high society in another era. When it comes to encompassing the best pianists, the most normal thing is to think of classical edges of the stature of Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself. It isn’t easy to compile a list of the best pianists in history.
But not everything goes back to the classical world; currently, there are many great pianists around the world, both men and women. Therefore, it would be almost impossible to choose a single person as the best pianist today.
In addition, at this time, many of the great pianists compose the soundtracks that magnify the seventh art and make feature films memorable. His compositions travel the world and remain in our memory.
Not everyone has the same opinion, and different factors come into play such as musicality, originality of the pieces, harmony, creativity … Depending on the composition, one artist or another may be benefited according to their abilities. In the same way, it is not the same when a pianist plays alone as when he plays with an entire symphony orchestra accompanying him.
The 5 best pianists of the 21st century
Following there is a small selection of the best pianists of the moment, in which artists of various kinds appear.
- Louis Lortie
One of the most sought-after pianists of the moment. Of Canadian origin but based in Berlin, he is a renowned international artist. He is known for being a great interpreter of Beethoven, Chopin, and Ravel pieces.
Lortie made his debut at age 13 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. A couple of years later, he played with the Toronto Symphony and toured Japan and China. In 2017 and 2018, he has been a guest artist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
- Tigran Hamasyan
Tigran Hamasyan is a jazz pianist of Armenian origin. Tigran began to play his first notes when he was only 3 years old. At the age of 9 he started his Jazz studies.
Hamasyan is one of the artists who prefer to play original compositions adding their folk melodies. Without a doubt, he is one of the most talented pianists of the moment and one of the best exponents of music in general.
- Yuja wang
One of the best Chinese pianists. At fifteen, Wang became a student at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. There she was praised for her combination of majestic technique and good playing taste. Wang has performed in various cities around the world, from Zurich to New York. Wang has performed pieces by Mendelsohn, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev, and Mozart.
He has also had the opportunity to collaborate with many of the world’s greatest orchestras, such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, and the NHK Symphony in Tokyo. Their performances are described as glamorous and captivating.
- Brad Mehldau
Today, one of the greatest exponents of jazz. Besides being a great jazz pianist, he is also a composer and arranger. He was a student at the New School in Manhattan.
Mehldau began experimenting with different styles of music such as electronic and rock. He has also had the opportunity to perform and record with acclaimed artists such as saxophonist Lee Konitz, guitarist Pat Metheny, and bassist Charlie Haden.
- Helene Grimaud
She’s one of the most acclaimed French pianists. He learned to play the piano at the age of nine. In 1982, Grimaud entered the Paris Conservatoire, one of the oldest prestigious academic institutions in France.
His playing style is considered risky and innovative. She is one of the pianists who favors the “tempo rubato,” that is, expressive freedom in which the tempo of a piece is increased and decreased. Because of this, their performances sound different from any other performance. He has achieved his own musical identity.