# Who is the best pianist in the 20th century?

> Explore the captivating spectrum of piano greatness, where you’ll find renowned virtuosos, soulful interpreters, and some surprise favorites that might challenge the classics. Dive in and discover which extraordinary talent resonates with you—who will you champion?

*By YPB Team · Published March 2, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-pianist-in-the-20th-century*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Vladimir Horowitz**
   Renowned for his virtuosic technique and expressive playing
2. **Wilhelm Kempff**
   Famous for his lyrical style and recordings of Beethoven
3. **Vladimir Ashkenazy**
   Acclaimed pianist and conductor, known for his interpretations of Russian composers
4. **Glenn Gould**
   Known for unique interpretations of Bach, especially The Well-Tempered Clavier
5. **Emil Gilels**
   Pioneered the Russian piano tradition with expressive performances
6. **Martha Argerich**
   Acclaimed for her passionate playing and technical brilliance
7. **Ivo Pogorelich**
   Known for his unconventional interpretations and dramatic performances
8. **Claudio Arrau**
   Renowned for his deep musical insight and expansive repertoire
9. **Artur Schnabel**
   First to record all Beethoven piano sonatas, known for his interpretations
10. **Maurizio Pollini**
   Known for his precision and interpretations of 20th-century music
11. **Murray Perahia**
   Acclaimed for his interpretations of Bach and Mozart
12. **Lang Lang**
   Famous for his charismatic performances and global popularity
13. **Sviatoslav Richter**
   Celebrated for his powerful performances and wide repertoire
14. **Krystian Zimerman**
   Known for his meticulous interpretations and performances of Chopin
15. **Evgeny Kissin**
   Child prodigy turned acclaimed pianist known for his virtuosity
16. **Yuja Wang**
   Known for her virtuosic technique and dynamic stage presence
17. **Daniil Trifonov**
   Acclaimed for his technical skill and expressive interpretations
18. **Van Cliburn**
   Won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958
19. **Mitsuko Uchida**
   Acclaimed for her interpretations of Mozart and Schubert
20. **Daniel Barenboim**
   Acclaimed pianist and conductor, known for his interpretations of Wagner
21. **Rudolf Serkin**
   Pioneered the American piano tradition, known for his Beethoven interpretations
22. **Grigory Sokolov**
   Celebrated for his deep musicality and technical prowess
23. **Byron Janis**
   Known for his performances of Chopin and Rachmaninoff
24. **Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli**
   Known for his technical precision and interpretative depth
25. **Leon Fleisher**
   Renowned for his interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms
26. **Alicia de Larrocha**
   Renowned for her interpretations of Spanish music, especially Albeniz
27. **András Schiff**
   Known for his performances of Bach, Beethoven, and Schubert
28. **Radu Lupu**
   Renowned for his poetic interpretations and unique sound
29. **Arthur Rubinstein**
   Famous for interpretations of Chopin and romantic repertoire
30. **Shura Cherkassky**
   Celebrated for his unique interpretations and colorful playing
31. **Alfred Brendel**
   Known for his interpretations of Beethoven and Schubert
32. **John Ogdon**
   Known for his interpretations of British composers and virtuosic playing

Tags: music, classical