It is often helpful to listen to recordings of intermediate and advanced pieces when learning a new piece. A student doesn’t need to copy the same performance, but much can be learned from various interpretations. It is a great learning experience to compare performances. It also helps to focus on the performer’s expression and articulation, musical aspects that set true artists apart.

The following list came from a group of piano teachers when asked what top five pianists they would want their students to listen to. The ones with stars were mentioned frequently and are among my favorites. Click on the links to see who they are and listen to some of their music.

Agerich, Martha** playing a Schumann piano concerto

Ashkenazy, Vladimir playing Chopin Preludes

Campaner, Gloria playing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2

Fleisher, Leon playing Bach Capriccio BWV 992

Gilels, Emil* playing Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 101 No. 28

Horowitz, Vladimir**** Playing Mozart Concerto No 23

Kissin, Evgeny* playing Paganini’s La Campanella

Lang Lang playing Chopin Polonaise in Ab Op. 53

Letsitsa, Valentina* playing LIszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Li, George playing Saint Saens Piano Concerto No 2

Perahia, Murray*** Playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata Mvt. 3

Rubenstein, Artur*** playing Grieg Piano Concerto in am, Op. 16

Trifonov Daniil** playing Schumann Kreisleriana, Op. 16

Uchida, Mitsuko**** playing Mozart Piano Concerto in dm, K. 466

Van Cliburn* playing Tchaikovskky Piano Concerto No. 1 in bb m, Op. 23

Viardo, Vladimir playing Schubert/Liszt

Wang, YuJa** playing Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb M Op. 83

Watts, Andre playing Debussy

Zimmerman, Krystian*playing Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in GM, Op. 58