Martha Argerich

Martha Argerich (; ; born 5 June 1941) is an Argentine classical concert pianist. Known for a wide professional output that spans works by composers such as Chopin, Ravel, Liszt, Prokofiev, and Schumann, Argerich is widely regarded as one of the greatest living pianists.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argerich gave her debut concert at the age of eight before receiving further piano training in Europe. At sixteen, she won both the Geneva International Music Competition and the Ferruccio Busoni International Competition. After a period of artistic uncertainty, she returned to performing with encouragement from Anny Askenase and went on to win the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1965, launching her international career. Since the 1980s, she has prioritized collaborative performance, appearing frequently with artists including Stephen Kovacevich, Mischa Maisky, and Gidon Kremer.

She has held leadership roles in institutions such as the International Piano Academy Lake Como and the Argerich Music Festival in Beppu, Japan. Argerich gained early recognition for her technical skills and expressive interpretations, and while she initially performed solo recitals, she later focused on concerto and chamber music due to discomfort with solo performance. A prominent advocate for human rights, she has supported political causes and fellow musicians publicly. Known for her aversion to publicity, she holds citizenship in Argentina and Switzerland and has lived in various countries throughout her career. Provided by Wikipedia