Emil Gilels

Soviet pianist

Born: October 6, 1916 · Died: October 14, 1985

Famous Persons

Emil Gilels — Image via Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia.

Overview

Legacy

6 October] 1916 in Odessa in the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine) to Gesya and Grigory Gilels.

Who was Emil Gilels?

Emil Grigoryevich Gilels (19 October [O.S. 6 October] 1916 – 14 October 1985; born Samuil) was a Russian and Soviet pianist. His sister Elizabeth, three years his junior, was a violinist. Gilels was born to a Jewish family on 19 October [O.S. 6 October] 1916 in Odessa in the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine) to Gesya and Grigory Gilels. His father worked as a clerk in a sugar refinery. His daughter Elena became a pianist. Gilels had perfect pitch, and at the age of five-and-a-half, he began lessons with Yakov Isaakovich Tkach, a piano pedagogue in Odessa. A quick learner, he was playing all three volumes of Loeschhorn's studies within a few months, and soon afterwards Clementi and Mozart sonatinas. Gilels later credited this strict training with Tkach for establishing the foundation of his technique.

Historical significance

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Emil Gilels.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/emil-gilels/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

APA

Emil Gilels. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/emil-gilels/

Chicago

“Emil Gilels.” thisDay. Accessed November 2, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/emil-gilels/.

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