Abbey Simon Tickets

Abbey Simon was one of the 20th century’s most influential pianists, renowned for his extraordinary technique and musical insight. Born in New York City, he studied at the Curtis Institute under the legendary Josef Hofmann, rising to prominence as a performer and a pedagogue. A Naumburg International Piano Competition winner in 1940, Simon earned widespread acclaim as a "superviruoso"—a term the New York Times used to describe his prodigious virtuosity. His career took him around the globe, performing with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony, and leaving a lasting imprint on generations of students through his extensive teaching career.

Beyond performance, Abbey Simon's influence lives on through his extensive discography, his masterclasses, and the students he mentored at prestigious institutions across the United States and internationally. Though he passed away in Geneva in 2019, his legacy continues to inspire pianists and classical music lovers alike. This artist profile highlights his biography, discography highlights, and the enduring impact of his teaching career.

Abbey Simon’s discography includes definitive recordings of Chopin and Ravel on the Vox label, as well as Rachmaninoff concertos conducted by Leonard Slatkin, pieces that showcase his refined touch and architectural sense of form. His teaching career spanned esteemed institutions such as the University of Houston Moores School of Music (where he held the Cullen Distinguished Professorship of Music until his retirement in 2019), Indiana University, Juilliard, the Manhattan School of Music, and Hunter College, among others. His masterclasses have shaped countless pianists who carry forward his rigorous technique and musical elegance. While there are no 2025 Abbey Simon tour dates due to his passing, fans and students alike continue to study his recordings and performances to discover the artistry that defined a generation of piano playing.