Zimerman, Kiystian

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Zimerman, Kiystian

Zimerman, Kiystian, outstanding Polish pianist; b. Zabrze, Dec. 5,1956. He commenced piano lessons at age 5 with his father; when he was 7 he became a pupil of Andrzej Jasinki, with whom he later studied at the Katowice Cons. In 1975 he won 1st prize in the Chopin Competition in Warsaw; then played with great success in Munich, Paris, London, and Vienna. In 1976 he was a soloist with the Berlin Phil. He made his first American appearance in 1978, and subsequently toured throughout the world to great critical acclaim. His performances of the Romantic repertory are remarkable for their discerning spontaneity. He has also played contemporary works, including Lutoslawski’s Piano Concerto (1988), which is dedicated to him.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire