Scribendum The Art of Yakov Flier

Trained by iconic pianist, Konstantin Igumnov, Flier is remembered primarily as a teacher; over the years his students included Rodion Shchedrin, Viktoria Postnikova, Mikhail Pletnev, Vladimir Feltsman, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Bella Davidovich and Mikhail Rudy. Jakov Flier was one of the leading Soviet pianists; his impeccable technique made him one of the most prominent concert pianists of his day in Russia and later worldwide He might have had far greater success internationally, had he lived longer after the easing of the Cold War politics, which encumbered his career. In 1936 he won first prize at the Vienna International Piano Competition, ahead of his friend and competitor, Emil Gilels. Gilels’ daughter, Elena, graduated from Flier’s Conservatoire class in Moscow.