Origins & Early Life

Murray David Perahia ( pə-RY-ə; born April 19, 1947) is an American pianist and conductor. He has been considered one of the greatest living pianists. He was the first North American pianist to win the Leeds International Piano Competition, in 1972. Known as a leading interpreter of Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann, among other composers, Perahia has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards from a total of 18 nominations, and 9 Gramophone Awards in addition to its first and only "Piano Award".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Murray (Moshe) was born in the Bronx borough of New York City to a family of Sephardi Jewish origin. His first language was Judaeo-Spanish, or Ladino. The family came from Thessaloniki, Greece. His father moved to the United States in 1935. Perahia began studying the piano at age four, with a teacher, he said, who was "very limiting" because she made him play a single piece until it was perfect.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He said his musical interests blossomed at age 15 for reasons he can't explain, and he began to practice seriously. At age 17, Perahia attended Mannes College, where he studied keyboard, conducting, and composition with his teacher and mentor Mieczysław...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Historical peer (Died in 1972) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
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• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• April 19 (04-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 19