Emil Gilels

About

Emil Gilels (1916-1985) was a classical pianist from the Soviet Union who is generally considered to have been one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. Following his public debut in Odessa when he was only 12, Gilels' reputation as a musical prodigy with a particularly advanced piano technique began to grow exponentially throughout Russia and Europe. Gilels went on to compete and win at several prestigious international piano competitions, and would be celebrated within his native Russia as one of the state's most prized and gifted pianists. In addition to his legendary live performances, Emil Gilels leaves behind a treasure trove of recordings that continue to stand as a benchmark for contemporary pianists to this day.