366Art | Vladimir Horowitz

Today is the birthday of Vladimir Horowitz, one of the most influential and brilliant pianists of the 20th century. The arrangement above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendar/reference work below were made by me, Frieke.

Vladimir Horowitz was born on October 1, 1903, in Kyiv, which was then part of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine), into a Jewish family. His mother, a gifted pianist, gave him his first piano lessons when he was five years old. His father was an engineer. It quickly became apparent that Horowitz was a child prodigy, and he was trained at the Kyiv Conservatory.

After completing his studies in 1920, Horowitz began his career in the Soviet Union, where he quickly gained fame through a series of successful concerts in major cities like Moscow and Leningrad. He left the Soviet Union in 1925, reportedly with the intention of going abroad to buy a piano, but he never returned. His international breakthrough followed soon after, with performances in Europe and later in the United States. He made his New York debut in 1928 with Tsjaikovski's Pianoconcert nr. 1, instantly capturing the attention of the American public.

In 1930, Horowitz settled in the United States, where he spent most of his career. He soon became famous for his brilliant technique, passionate interpretations, and his ability to play complex works with apparent ease. He was especially known for his performances of works by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Scriabin. His recordings of works like Rachmaninoff's Pianoconcert nr. 3 are still regarded as some of the best ever made.

A defining feature of Horowitz’s playing was his incredible technique, combined with his dramatic and expressive interpretations. His style was often flamboyant, and he was known for pushing the boundaries of the piano’s tonal range. His virtuosity was undeniable, and he had an unparalleled ability to make the piano sound both like a powerful orchestra and a subtle, poetic instrument.

In 1933, Horowitz married Wanda Toscanini, the daughter of the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini. Through this marriage, Horowitz found himself in a circle of influential musicians. Wanda would play a central role in Horowitz’s personal life, especially in supporting him during his difficult periods. Horowitz was known for withdrawing from public life at various times during his career. He struggled with severe depression, and there were several years in which he did not perform. His first major sabbatical was from 1953 to 1965, during which he gave no concerts. He struggled with mental health issues, including insecurities and anxieties about his musical performances. These were difficult years for Horowitz, but when he returned in 1965, his comeback was legendary, with a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall that attracted worldwide attention.

Horowitz later took several more sabbaticals, but he always returned to the stage. One of the most remarkable moments in Horowitz’s late career was his return to Russia in 1986. After more than six decades of absence, he gave a series of legendary concerts there, culminating in a performance in Moscow  that was broadcast on television and watched worldwide. His return to his homeland was seen as a historic and symbolic event, especially given the political tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Horowitz continued to record and perform into his later years. He passed away on November 5, 1989, in New York at the age of 86. His legacy is immense. He is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time, praised for his exceptional technique and interpretative brilliance. His performances of works by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann are considered iconic.