►The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Contemporary Pianists, part I

►The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Contemporary Pianists, part I

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There are only a few instruments that can express an awesome range of emotions.

For me, these are piano and violin. I am obsessed with these, so I decided to make a list of musicians which I find inspiring.

►Martin Kohlstedt

I have read somewhere that he grew up in the forests of Thuringia, which is no wonder. I have never seen such a raw expression and genuine feeling when it comes to pianists. His music sounds like it just came out of nature. I recommend that you take a Youtube tour of his live performances.

Check his website

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►Jordan Rudess

Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess is a virtuoso, and you probably think that his music will sound cold and overly-technical. Let me assure you! “Notes on a Dream” is a must-listen.
The majority of this album contains classical piano renditions of Dream Theater songs. Rudess’s arrangements include many sections that were not in the original songs, especially solos. Tracks 3, 7, and 11 are original pieces.

Jordan Rudess Website

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►Lubomyr Melnyk

Lubomyr is a Canadian composer and pianist of Ukrainian origin. His style is very simple-dark, serious, eccentric and technically impeccable. There’s an interesting interview about his technique, where he claims he is the world’s fastest pianist, you can read it here. (“In order to achieve the true power that comes out of the piano, you have to reach that level that you actually go past the sound barrier,” he said.
“I want to be like Tinkerbell and wave a little wand with some fairy dust and suddenly people know what it’s like to have this ability and speed, to have your body disappear.”)

Lubomyr Melnik Website

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Thank you for reading, this list will grow with time.

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