Vladimir Horowitz (Russia, USA, 1903-1989)

Vladimir Horowitz was born on October 1, 1903 in the Ukraine. He took his first piano lessons from his mother Sophie at the age of five but seemed to show more interest in composing than playing the piano until he was twelve. In 1912 Horowitz began studying at the Kiev Conservatory where his piano professors were Sergei Tarnovsky and Felix Blumenfeld. In 1914 he met and played for Alexander Scriabin, and in 1919 he left the conservatory, performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 at his graduation.

Horowitz made his solo debut recital in Kiev in 1920 and in two years was performing in concerts throughout Russia. However, he left for Western Europe in the autumn of 1925, making his solo debut in Berlin in 1926.

Later that year he was given the chance to play Tchaikovsky’... read more