He was considered by many to have been one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He died in 1995.
While he did not have a very extensive repertoire, what he performed was often legendary.
Michelangeli was born on January 5, 1920, in Orzinuovi, Italy. His father was an amateur musician who introduced his son to the art. After early studies on the violin, Michelangeli took up the piano, entering the Milan Conservatory at the age of ten. Four years later the young pianist graduated with high recognition.
In 1939 Michelangeli‘s concert career began in earnest after he earned top honors at the International Piano Competition in Geneva. Of his triumphant performance at the competition, no less a luminary than the great Alfred Cortot exclaimed, “A new Liszt is born!” Service in the Italian Air Force during World War II interrupted Michelangeli‘s career; taking the stage again at war’s end, however, he soon earned a place among the top performers of the day.
The 1950s and 1960s were a busy time for the pianist, who divided his time between a hectic concert schedule and various teaching appointments. In 1960 Michelangeli performed Beethoven‘s “Emperor” Concerto in Vatican City for the Pope. A triumphant 1964 appearance in Moscow reportedly had the audience in an uproar, and in 1965 Michelangeli became one of the first Western artists to concertize extensively in Asia.
Have a look and listen to his playing the music of Chopin:
