© Getty Images

Claude Debussy -

The French composer and pianist was dubbed the first impressionist composer (though he rejected the label). Debussy started playing the piano at the age of seven and went on to become one of the most influential composers of all time.  

© Getty Images

Robert Schumann -

Robert Schumann is one of the most influential composers and pianists of the 19th century. The German virtuoso pianist remains a reference to this day. 

© Getty Images

Art Tatum -

Art Tatum was not only technically brilliant, but he also innovated how jazz was played on the piano. 

© Getty Images

Artur Schnabel -

The Austrian-American pianist and composer was a prodigy who studied with the famous piano teacher Theodor Leschetizky. Schnabel was the first to record Beethoven's piano sonatas. 

© Getty Images

Billy Joel -

Billy Joel is called the "Piano Man" for a reason. He recorded a song of the same name, but he is also a talented pianist and songwriter, who has sold millions of records ever since his solo career started in the 1970s.  

© Getty Images

Ludwig Von Beethoven -

Beethoven is yet another celebrated prolific composer and virtuoso piano player. The German composer and pianist helped define the sound of both the classical and romantic eras.

© Getty Images

Franz Schubert -

The Austrian composer from the late classical and early romantic era wrote over 600 pieces of music throughout his lifetime, including numerous piano works.

© Getty Images

Frédéric Chopin -

Chopin is one of the most celebrated composers and pianists of all time. The Polish composer wrote predominantly for solo piano.

© Getty Images

Alfred Cortot -

The French classical pianist and conductor is best known for his interpretations of famous works from the Romantic era, including those of Chopin and Schumann, to name a few. 

© Getty Images

Franz Liszt -

The Hungarian pianist and composer was a contemporary of many other great composers, including Chopin, Shuman, and Wagner. Franz Liszt became famous at the time as a pianist and he is still regarded as one of the greatest to this day.

© Getty Images

Clara Schumann -

Robert Schumann's wife, Clara Schumann, was also a prolific composer and distinguished pianist. Clara Schumann started touring at age six and had a career spanning over 60 years.

© Getty Images

Ray Charles -

The award-winning singer-songwriter made his career sitting behind the piano. His contribution to popular music is second to none. 

© Getty Images

Arthur Rubinstein -

The Polish-American pianist was friends with the likes of Brahms and Schumann. Arthur Rubinstein's interpretations of Chopin are among the best the world has ever witnessed. 

© Getty Images

Jelly Roll Morton -

Jelly Roll Morton is often quoted as one of the inventors of jazz with his 1915 song 'Jelly Roll Blues.' While the claim is disputed, what is not disputed is his relevance and influence in jazz music. 

© Getty Images

Dinu Lipatti -

The Romanian pianist had a short-lived career, but a very successful one. Dinu Lipatti is one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Sadly, his career was cut short by his death at age 33. 

© Getty Images

Fats Domino -

Fats Domino was a rock 'n' roll pioneer who went on to influence some of music's biggest stars, including Elvis Presley. While this fact is still up for debate, Domino's first single 'The Fat Man,' released in 1949, is considered by some the first rock 'n' roll song ever recorded. 

© Getty Images

Martha Argerich -

The Argentine classical pianist is currently among the best in the world, and indeed one of the greatest of all time. 

© Getty Images

Glenn Gould -

The Canadian pianist is best known for recording interpretations of works by Bach. 

© Getty Images

Little Richard -

Who has never danced to Little Richard's 1955 hit 'Tutti Frutti?' A rock 'n' roll pioneer and overall legend, Little Richard's ecstatic piano playing helped define the genre. 

© Getty Images

Sergei Rachmaninoff -

The Russian composer, conductor, and virtuoso pianist is considered one of the greatest of all time. Rachmaninoff fled the Russian Revolution of 1917, moved to Switzerland, and then the US. His Piano Concerto No. 2 is often described as the greatest piano concerto ever written. 

© Getty Images

Sviatoslav Richter -

The virtuoso Russian pianist was best known for his interpretations of numerous great composers, including Handel, Bach, and Tchaikovsky.

© Getty Images

Jerry Lee Lewis -

Rock 'n' roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis was known for his wild performances and energetic playing. He went on to influence not only a generation of artists but a whole genre of music. 

© Getty Images

James Booker -

James Booker was an amazing New Orleans rhythm and blues pianist who mixed a number of genres flawlessly. Because of his flamboyant style, Booker was also known as "the Black Liberace."

© Getty Images

Bill Evans -

You cannot talk about jazz piano without mentioning Bill Evans. Among his career highlights is the recording of Miles Davis' iconic 1959 album 'Kind of Blue.'

© Getty Images

Thelonious Monk -

The American pianist wrote a number of jazz standards and is an undisputed icon of the genre. Monk was the second-most-recorded jazz composer, and is among the handful of jazz musicians who were featured on the cover of Time magazine.

© Getty Images

Wilhelm Kempff -

The German pianist is best known for his interpretations of classical works by the likes of Schubert and Beethoven, among others. Kempff is regarded as one of the best pianists of the 20th century. 

© Getty Images

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -

Mozart is one of the most famous composers and pianists of all time. The Austrian child prodigy started writing music as early as age 5. 

© Getty Images

Vladimir Horowitz -

Vladimir Horowitz moved from the USSR to Berlin and then to the US, where he became a star pianist. Horowitz is often quoted as one of the greatest ever. 

© Getty Images

Emil Gilels -

Emil Gilels was one of the first Soviet musicians allowed to travel to the West. Gilels is best known for his recordings of Brahms, Beethoven, and Grieg's Lyric Pieces.

© Getty Images

Elton John -

Not many pianists became pop-rock icons, but Sir Elton John is one of those who did. Elton John's piano playing shaped his music and made him one of the greatest stars on the planet.

© Getty Images

Lang Lang -

The Chinese pianist is regarded as one of the best in the world currently. Lang Lang is credited for introducing classical music to new audiences, and particularly encouraging young people to start playing the piano.

Sources: (Music Grotto) (UDiscoverMusic) (Higher Hz) 

See also: Key moments that rocked the classical music world

© Getty Images