Who is the greatest pianist that ever lived? And who is the greatest composer?

Question

Compare all eras and then come with an answer. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

Answer 1

This seems a common question and a highly subjective one at that...
Greatest pianist ever, well by reputation and from anecdotal evidence, there can be really only one choice - Franz Liszt. Any research that you do will reveal this.
Greatest composer... has to be one of the big three with a couple of honorary mentions:
1) Beethoven
2) Bach
3) Mozart

Take your pick - valid cases could be made for each.
The honorary mentions being Brahms and Schubert.
The period of each really does not matter, in terms of which is better.

Answer 2

Greatest Pianists Of All Time

Answer 3

Johann Sebastien Bach was undoubtedly the greatest composer ever; not only did he pioneer tonality, but he also was the master of everything to do with it. He established the 12 tone system solidly as the leading practise in Europe, then he went and created over a thousand pieces of seemingly infinite complexity, which are each perfectly aesthetically pleasing in their own right. Schoenberg can be considered on the same level as Bach in that he pioneered atonality as Bach did tonal centre, but he can't hold a candle to Bach when it comes to pure genius using the system he advocated. Beethoven, Stravinsky and Mozart may come in a close tie for third.

As for the greatest pianist; perhaps I can't tell you the greatest pianist of all time, but here are a few considered great; Vladimir Ashkenazy, Vladimir Horowitz, William Kapell Leonard Bernstein, Rudolf Serkin, Bendetti Michelangeli, Glenn Gould, Maurice Ravel...
Greatest pianists alive today, I may have a better say on.
In order, in my opinion; Murray Perahia, Garrick Ohlsson, Leon Fleisher, Peter Serkin, Yefim Bronfman, André Watts, Angela Hewitt, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Richard Goode, John O'Connor, Marc-André Hamelin, Maurizio Pollini, Harvey van Cliburn, Andras Schiff...
From existing accounts though, I would have to say the 'greatest' pianist who ever lived would be Franz Liszt. No question.

By the way, Liberaci, George Winston and Josh Groban are NOT pianists in any sense, by any stretch, of the word.

Answer 4

I am always vexed by the concept of "the Greatest". I have seen Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Carl Furillo, PeeWee Reese, Stan Musial and a host of others play baseball and enjoyed their skills. I hesitate to chose one over the other.

The same goes for pianists. Can you not appreciate the nuances Brendel gives to Beethoven compared to those of Rubenstein, Schnabel, or Serkin? Why does one have to be greater than another?

As for composers, Mozart and Beethoven were absolutely magnificent, but new ground was also broken by Schubert, Dvorak, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and many others. Why do we have to chose "The Greatest." Music isn't boxing.

Answer 5

Best Pianists Of All Time

Answer 6

Mozart, in my opinion, is unquestionably the most gifted composer, not only of the classical era, but of all time. How many adolescents have ever composed serious symphonic works that are still widely praised.

J.S. Bach, another genius, represents the epitome of the Baroque period. His use of counterpoint still makes me, and thousands of others, simply shake our heads in disbelief.

Although there a number of gifted composers, most notably Beethoven, that had to be eliminated to provide my 1st. and 2nd.choices. I'll leave it there as some many others have provided such excellent responses.

With regard to great pianists, I would imagine that Mozart was a most capable player. However, when I think of serious piano virtuosos.the first name that comes to mind is Sergei Rachmaninoff. In addition, Liszt, wrote and performed some of the most complex piano works that ever exited.

There is, of course, no absolute correct answer as every listener is free to use their individual ears to provide a response. That's part of the beauty of music,there is such a wonderful variey of varying styles to choose from.

I'd like to thank repondant "Piano" for his inclusion of Schoenberg, as well. An oft too-overlooked genius in his own right.

Answer 7

For the greatest pianist is easy!
The Texas "kid" Van Cliburn gets my vote for the best heartfelt interpreter. Anyone doubting this should see him in vintage video.

For me the greatest composer of all times is: Peter I. Tchaikovsky.

Answer 8

To tell you this,the greater pianist that ever lived is Chopin from the Romantic Era.Not like other pianist,his music is very relaxing...

Answer 9

my parents are professional musicians so even tho im 15 i know this stuff lol :)

pianist- Ludwig Van Beethoven
composer-is opinion, but in my opinion- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Igor Stravinsky

Answer 10

I would say for Piano Chopin since beethoven was alive during claviscord or whatever its called.
Composer Mozart, Bach, and Tchaikovsky