Maurizio Pollini

Maurizio Pollini (born January 5, 1942) is an Italian pianist and conductor.

Born in Milan, Pollini studied under Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli among others. In 1960 he won the Warsaw Chopin Competition. He is noted for his performances of modern pieces such as Pierre Boulez' Piano Sonata No. 2 as well as more traditional repertoire. He has conducted both opera and orchestral music, sometimes leading the orchestra from the keyboard in concertos.