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PIANIST

This article deals with those who play the piano. For other uses, see pianist (disambiguation).

A pianist is a person who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an orchestra or smaller ensemble, or accompany one or more singers or solo instrumentalists.

A performing classical pianist usually starts playing piano at a very young age, some as early as three years old. Many well-known classical composers were capable pianists themselves; for example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sergei Prokofiev were all virtuoso pianists. Most pianists, to some degree, specialize in performing the music of either certain composers or certain periods.

Most western forms of music can make use of the piano. Consequently, pianists have a wide variety of repertoire and styles to choose from, including jazz, classical music, and all sorts of popular music.

Below is a list of well-known or influential contemporary pianists of different genres.

Contents

Classical pianists

See also List of classical pianists and Classical pianists (recorded).

Pop music pianists

Jazz pianists

From the List of jazz pianists.

Blues pianists

See the List of boogie woogie musicians for more blues players.

Country pianists

Other genres

Well known gospel or contemporary Christian pianists include: