Emil Gilels

Emil Gilels was one of the greatest piano players in history.

He was known for his amazing control and beautiful, polished sound. People all over the world admired how he played many different styles of music. He could play music from the Baroque era all the way to the 20th century. He was especially famous for playing the works of German and Austrian masters. His performances of composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann were the heart of his shows. He also played beautiful music by Scarlatti and modern composers like Debussy and Prokofiev.

Learning to play the piano was a big part of his life from the start. He was born in Odessa to a Jewish family. His father worked at a sugar refinery. Emil had perfect pitch, which helps a musician identify notes easily. He began his lessons at only five and a half years old. He was a very quick learner. Within just a few months, he was already playing difficult studies by Loeschhorn. He also mastered sonatinas by Clementi and Mozart. His teacher, Tkach, believed Emil was born specifically to be a pianist.

Emil's journey to fame involved many important teachers and competitions. He studied with Reingbald at the Odessa Conservatory. Reingbald helped him learn about history and literature, too. In 1933, Emil won first prize at the First All-Union Competition in Moscow. This win made him a star in the Soviet Union. Later, he studied with Heinrich Neuhaus at the Moscow Conservatory. In 1936, he won second place at a competition in Vienna. His biggest win came in 1938 at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. He earned first prize there, while his friend Yakov Flier took third.

Throughout his career, Emil reached many people during difficult times. During World War II, he performed open-air concerts for Soviet troops. These music shows helped keep their spirits high on the frontlines. The famous composer Sergei Rachmaninoff even listened to Emil on the radio. Rachmaninoff thought Emil was his successor. He sent Emil a special medal and a diploma to show this. Emil kept these precious items for his entire life. In 1952, he became a professor to teach new students at the Moscow Conservatory. He even chaired the jury for the first Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958.

Music was a family tradition for the Gilels family. His sister, Elizabeth, was a violinist. His daughter, Elena, also became a talented pianist. Elena even performed and recorded music alongside her father. Emil traveled to many places to play, including the United Kingdom and the United States. He made his American debut in 1955 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also played at the famous Royal Albert Hall in 1952. Emil died in Moscow in 1985. Even today, people listen to his many recordings to enjoy his wonderful skill.