Dinu Lipatti played his last recital 76 years ago in Besançon, France. The event was recorded (not broadcast live before of his ill health) and eventually released ... most of it - some mysteries remain. Today, my detailed notes about the event, the recording, and more. Link in the comments below.

Dutch pianist-composer Dirk Schäfer is virtually forgotten today, but 100 years ago (in 1924 & 26) he produced a very impressive series of recordings that have rarely been available since. An exploration of his life and art - and the recordings - is linked in the comments thread.

September 5 this year is Valerie Tryon's 92nd birthday. The British-Canadian pianist continues to perform (and look decades younger than she is - this is a recent photo). Linked today is a tribute that includes several studio & live recordings, and a 90th birthday interview with performances.

August 29 this year was the 103rd anniversary of Raymond Lewenthal's birth. The American pianist never got the recognition his artistry warranted (he was a hit in the UK but not at home), yet his studio & live recordings reveal truly top-tier pianism. Check the link to explore his life & art!

On August 23, 1950 Dinu Lipatti made his final appearance with orchestra at the @lucernefestival.wsocial.eu. The concert was broadcast, as was an interview with the pianist. The recording of an interview excerpt and the concerto (and a transcript & my translation) are linked in the comments.

August 15 this year marks 75 years since Artur Schnabel died. The Austrian-born pianist made the first complete recording of Beethoven's Sonatas in the 1930s in addition to bringing Schubert's music out of obscurity. Details about both (and the recordings) linked in the comments.

August 9 was the anniversary of the birth in 1902 of British pianist Solomon, whose career was cut short by a stroke in 1956 - he lived another 32 years. In the linked tribute, I share bio details & offer his superb Chopin discs (sorely overlooked) & other amazing recordings.

August 5 this year marked 76 years since the tragic death of Rosa Tamarkina at the age of 30. The first wife of Emil Gilels was an extraordinary pianist, a range of solo, chamber, concerto, and filmed performances revealing her glorious pianism. Link to all of these in comments. What an artist!

Severin Eisenberger studied with two Czerny pupils and made no official discs, attempting to dispose of broadcast recordings that fortunately survived - and what amazing playing they reveal! Details about his career & samples of his remarkable playing linked in the comments.

July 9 was the 17th anniversary of my Facebook page, the birth of The Piano Files as a hub of great historical piano recordings. I was on my annual offline retreat on that day this year so am celebrating today; the comments has a link to a lecture & a superb forgotten pianist!

As I prepare to head into my annual offline retreat, I am sharing two 'new' recordings of the fantastic pianist Marian Filar, shared by a pupil who allowed me to upload them (and many others on my channel). Phenomenal artistry - and a fascinating story. Check the link for more.

June 23 of this year marked what is cited as the 134th anniversary of Mieczysław Horszowski’s birth in 1892 - though it seems he may have been born even earlier. His 100+ year life was incredibly rich and his pianism is magnificent. A selection of recordings spanning 50 years is linked below.

How many incredible pianists are still lamentably overlooked? I first heard of Giovanni Dell'Agnola on a handful of discs under five years ago - truly top-tier pianism by a very active performer & teacher (at the Milan Conservatory). Some details & superb recordings linked in the comments below.

Michel Block was one of those pianists whose playing has been revered by his colleagues & pianophiles. Arthur Rubinstein created a special prize to recognize him at the 1960 Chopin Competition when his fellow jurors didn't place him highly. You can hear why: check the link!

Marcelle Meyer was a marvel, excelling at all she played, from the earliest keyboard music to the latest works by composers she knew (Ravel, Debussy, Satie, Stravinsky, and other legends). Her 1940s-50s discs of Bach, Scarlatti, & Rameau are stupefying - shared here with background; check comments.

Evlyn Howard-Jones has been unjustly forgotten over the decades; APR fortunately released his complete 78s for the first time 5 years ago. Eight Bach Preludes & Fugues set down in 1930 are among the most beautiful I've ever heard. Details & these gorgeous recordings are linked below.

Last month I gave a max-capacity presentation at the Vancouver Public Library, thanks to sponsorship from the Vancouver Recital Society @vanrecital.bsky.social and Muzewest Concerts Society. The presentation is now online & shared in the linked post, along with some backstory to the event.

Franz Josef Hirt was an amazing Swiss pianist who made about 2 hours of 78s in the 20s & 30s but no later official recordings despite living until 1985. He played with legendary conductors & was admired by great composers as well. Quite an artist; check the recordings in the link!

Polish pianist-composer Sigismond Stojowski's compositions were once very popular but they are rarely heard today. He made some recordings in 1916 but broadcasts from 1942 & 44 exist, issued once on LP in the 70s. Details about these and a transfer linked in the comments below.

Seymour Bernstein has died at the age of 99. He had retired from performance for 50 years but very active as a teacher, and Ethan Hawke shone a well-deserved light on him with a superb 2015 film. He was a musical & creative genius who will be missed. Tribute & links in comments.

April 20 this year marked the 40th anniversary of Vladimir Horowitz's legendary return to playing in Moscow, his first appearance there in 61 years. I remember the live broadcast in 1986, well aware of the historical importance of the event. Details & video linked in the comments thread.

American pianist Ruth Slenczynska has died at age 101. She had an exceptionally long career as a pianist & teacher, studying in her childhood with 5 legendary pianists: Hofmann, Rachmaninoff, Schnabel, Cortot, and Petri. Link with her playing & interviews in comments. RIP Ms. Slenczynska.

American pianist Ann Schein has died at the age of 86. The 'long life in music' that her beloved mentor Mieczysław Münz predicted came to be: she was a formidable performer & teacher, embodying grace & strength. A tribute with two early LPs linked in the comments. RIP Ms. Schein.

April 13 marks 31 years since the tragic death of American pianist Joseph Villa at the age of 46. I was fortunate to know him in his last few years - he was always gracious & generous, sending me Christmas cards & cassettes of live performances. Check comments thread for a tribute & recordings.

April 7 was the anniversary of Victor Schiøler's birth in 1899. A pupil of Schnabel & Friedman, teacher to Victor Borge (who used his 1st name for his own stage name as a hat-tip), he was a truly great artist in so many ways. Biographical details & some recordings in today's post. Link in comments.

Simon Barere died mid-concert at Carnegie Hall 75 years ago on April 2, 1951. The pianist of dazzling dexterity and innate musicality left behind a modest official discography now expanded by hours of live recordings (many from Carnegie Hall) & now some film footage. Link in comments below.

Ferruccio Busoni was born April 1, 1866. Remembered today as a composer & transcriber, he was among the most titanic pianists of his generation. No technology could properly capture the scope of his playing (or anyone's) but his 1922 discs still reveal superb pianism. Link with audio & details below

March 28 was World Piano Day, the 88th day of the year celebrating the instrument that (usually) has 88 keys. In recognition of this day and this amazing instrument, 3 filmed conversations in which my hosts & I discuss great pianists, interpretation, and live performances. Link in the comments!

March 23 was the 145th anniversary of Egon Petri's birth. The Busoni disciple left us many hours of recordings, and while some studio accounts are a bit detached, the best of them - and his live recordings - feature some truly sky-opening pianism. Check the link in the comments.

March 17 was the 115th anniversary of Robert Goldsand's birth. A student of Liszt pupil Moriz Rosenthal & other fine musicians, Goldsand became an esteemed teacher and was a superb artist - always better in concert than on disc. Today, rare broadcasts, a 78, and an interview: check link in comments.