András Schiff

András Schiff, born in Budapest in 1953, emerged as a leading Hungarian pianist of his generation, alongside Zoltán Kocsis and Jenö Jandó. Known for his nuanced touch and clear contrapuntal interpretation, Schiff garnered international acclaim with his energetic performances. He won top prizes at the 1974 Moscow competition and the 1975 Leeds Festival, later founding the Mondsee Musiktage festival and forming Cappella Andrea Barca for Mozart's piano concertos.

Schiff's mastery of Bach and exploration of Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann solidified his reputation as a versatile interpreter. He departed Hungary in 1979, speaking out against political developments and eventually becoming a British citizen. Schiff's discography, spanning labels like ECM and Decca, showcases his diverse repertoire, including Eastern European composers like Bartók and Janáček. His embrace of the fortepiano in the 2010s led to acclaimed recordings, further expanding his musical legacy.