"To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable." -Beethoven
Brahms, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Rubinstein, Paganini, when we cite the greatest musicians and composers in history, few female names appear. Does that mean that women have not made an impact on the world of music? Absolutely not!
Many women pianists continue to mark the current musical landscape while arousing the admiration of piano lovers, both men, and women.
It's worth pointing out that interpreting melodies on pianos are not the prerogatives of men. Whether it involves playing a piano concerto, interpretations of pieces of music, or playing original compositions in front of an auditorium, many musicians are present and teamwork is involved with often both men and women participating.
Therefore, music and playing the piano is a role that both genders occupy and while there are many famous male pianists, there are also many women who play the piano wonderfully. Such as? Without further delay, in today's article, we shall take a look at the top ten most acclaimed female pianists from around the world.
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Martha Argerich
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at 80 years of age, Martha Argerich is one of the most internationally renowned figures in the world of music today. Martha Argerich's exceptional musical abilities were discovered at three years old. Therefore, she has enjoyed a lifetime of playing music on the piano.
During her childhood, she learned the piano alongside the musician Vincenzo Scaramuzza and this greatly helped her since by age eight she was already able to play Mozart's Concerto in D minor at a recital.
In her early years, to continue honing her gift, Martha Argerich left her homeland of Argentina to continue studying music in Europe where she would train alongside some of the best pianists of all time. As she continued to train and become talented at playing the piano, she won prizes across the European continent such as the Ferruccio Busoni prize, first place at the Geneva Festival, and the esteemed Chopin Prize.
To hear her impressive talent, take a look at YouTube videos of Martha Argerich playing in concerts around the world.
Marguerite Monnot
Marguerite Monnot was born on May 28, 1903, in Decize, France. Monnot had a musical influence from a very young age since her father was a piano teacher and composer of religious music. Young Monnot very quickly mastered the piano and played pieces of music composed by Liszt, Chopin, and Mozart.
During her early years of piano playing, Marguerite Monnot was more attracted by popular music and jazz than classical and sacred music which was most common during that period of time. She then put an end to her classic music concert career in order to devote herself to popular songs.
She composed music for singers such as Jane Marny and Lucienne Boyer. Additionally, Monnot composed songs known as The Stranger or My Legionnaire, and these were hit songs taken over by Edith Piaf. The two artists meet and then begin a musical collaboration.
Hélène Grimaud
Currently, in her 50s, Hélène Grimaud, is a great French pianist that was born in Aix-en-Provence on November 7, 1969. Now recognized internationally, Hélène Grimaud began piano lessons at the age of seven.
At the young age of 13, Hélène Grimaud entered the National Conservatory of Music in Paris; quite a feat for a youngster! The virtuoso pianist then learned alongside Jacques Rouvier, György Sándor, and Leon Fleisher.
She played her first concert alongside the conservatory orchestra in Aix-en-Provence, her hometown, and her career quickly became more acclaimed internationally. It's still possible to see Grimaud's concerts and learn from her playing style by watching her perform live or taking a look at YouTube videos.
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Nina Simone
At a young age, Nina Simone developed a passion for classical music, notably singing and playing the piano in her church. Miss Simone was a little prodigy and gave her first concert at the age of twelve; this recital also highlighted some of the anti-racist struggles that Nina Simone dealt with since the young pianist refused to play until her parents had taken their place in the front row, a place usually reserved by whites.
Nina Simone is a beloved musical legend that has enjoyed a diverse career with varied musical styles. Simone is now famous throughout the world for her repertoire inspired by jazz, blues, classical music, soul, folk, and even gospel.
Marguerite Long
Marguerite Long was born on November 13, 1874, in Nîmes, France. Very quickly Marguerite Long became interested in the piano and she entered the Paris Conservatory thanks to Théodore Dubois who noticed her during concerts. At the Paris Conservatory, Marguerite Long learned the piano alongside Antoine-François Marmontel and began playing concerts at the age of 19.
However, like other female musicians of her time, Long faced the prejudices of the bourgeois environment and dealt with backlash from those who believed that women were devoid of creativity.
After marrying musicologist Joseph de Marliave in 1906, Marguerite gradually reintroduced herself into the world of music. Marguerite Long is still considered a piano legend to this day. She died on February 13, 1966, in Paris.
Khatia Buniatishvili
Khatia Buniatishvili was born on June 21, 1987, in Batumi in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Buniatishvili has since been naturalised as a French citizen.
Khatia began piano lessons at the age of three thanks to her musically inclined mother. Her passion, virtue, dedication, and talent led her to her first concert with the Tbilisi Chamber Orchestra when she was only six years old!
As a teenager, she took lessons from the pianist Michel Sognya and also continued her studies at the Central School of Music in Tbilisi. In 2004, she joined the Tbilisi State Conservatory and then entered the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
Khatia Buniatishvili's career really took off when she worked with pianist Oleg Maisenberg at the Academy of Music and Drama in Vienna.
Annie Fischer
Annie Fischer was a Hungarian classical pianist of great renown in the world of symphony orchestras. In 1933, Fischer won the International Franz Liszt Competition in Budapest, which propelled her to centre stage and garnered her recognition from fans and music experts.
Annie Fischer is recognised as a spontaneous yet perfectionist virtuoso pianist. Fischer majestically played songs from the greatest composers such as Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, and Bartók.
Well known in Europe and Australia, Fischer was more discreet with audiences in North America.
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Alicia De Larrocha
Alicia De Larrocha was born on May 23, 1923, in Barcelona, Spain. A Spanish pianist with impressive talent, Alicia De Larrocha began learning the piano at the age of three. She studied music theory with Riccardo Lamote de Grignon and was passionate about the Spanish repertoire of music.
Her first concert took place when she was only six years old. However, that was only a start since a few years later, she played Mozart's "Coronation" Concerto K 537 with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
Nonetheless, De Larrocha's real career began in 1940 when she performed concerts in Spain and in Latin America. She followed her success by completing a tour in Europe, the United States, and South Africa. A brilliant pianist, Alicia de Larrocha died on September 25, 2009.
Sonya Belousova
An American pianist and composer of Russian origin, Sonya Belousova was born on February 4, 1990. Considered one of the greatest current virtuosos in the world of music, she is recognized by all professional pianists and has received numerous distinctions since the start of her career.
Sonya Belousova began practising the piano at the age of five and went on stage for the first time at the Chamber Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic when she was only eight years old. She now lives in the United States where she continues her career as a concert pianist and film composer.
Brigitte Engerer
Born in Tunisia, Brigitte Engerer began classical piano at the age of five. After some time, she then studied piano at the Paris Conservatory, with Lucette Descaves as a teacher.
During her apprenticeship, Engerer went on to win prizes, including that of the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Competition. After her success in France, Engerer left to study the piano at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow.
Finally, her career took off when Brigitte Engerer was playing the piano with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which she described as "the best orchestra in the world."
While there are many more talented female pianists from around the world, the ten we have considered in today's article are the cream of the crop!
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