Elisabeth Leonskaja

Elisabeth Leonskaja is a highly respected pianist whose career blossomed in the shadow of Sviatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels. Known for her modesty -- not unlike older compatriot Maria Yudina -- Leonskaja was mentored by Richter and often played duets with him. She would never reach the critical and artistic heights of her great teacher, but her reputation as an imaginative interpreter and formidable technician has lifted her to almost legendary status, with comparisons to Clara Haskil and other keyboard icons. Her choice of repertory has been fairly conservative over the years, with staples in the concerto and solo genres by Chopin, Brahms, Prokofiev, and with much chamber music. In the latter realm, she has collaborated with the Alban Berg and Borodin quartets, cellist Heinrich Schiff, and many other artists. Leonskaja has made numerous recordings with a variety of labels.