Willi Stein was born on May 15, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. He was born into a family of musicians, and his parents were both professional classical musicians. His father was a renowned cellist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Willi was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Willi's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his mother and quickly showed a natural aptitude for the instrument. By the age of ten, he had already won several local piano competitions and was performing in public regularly. In 1997, Willi was accepted into the prestigious Vienna Conservatory, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned pianist and teacher, Maria João Pires. During his time at the conservatory, Willi honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of classical music. He also began to experiment with different styles of music, including jazz and contemporary classical music. After graduating from the conservatory in 2005, Willi began performing professionally. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and versatile pianist, and his performances were praised for their technical precision and emotional depth. He performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Musikverein in Vienna. One of Willi's most memorable performances was at the 2008 Salzburg Festival, where he performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was hailed as a triumph, and Willi received a standing ovation from the audience. He was also awarded the festival's prestigious Young Artist Award, which recognized his exceptional talent and promise as a musician. In addition to his performances, Willi also began recording music. His debut album, "Reflections," was released in 2010 and featured a selection of classical pieces by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy. The album was well-received by critics and helped to establish Willi as a rising star in the classical music world. Over the years, Willi continued to perform and record music, collaborating with some of the world's most renowned orchestras and conductors. He also began to explore his own compositions, blending classical and contemporary styles to create a unique sound that was all his own. In 2018, Willi released his second album, "Transcendence," which featured a collection of his own compositions. The album was a departure from his earlier work and showcased his versatility as a musician. It was praised for its innovative sound and emotional depth, and cemented Willi's reputation as one of the most exciting and talented pianists of his generation. Throughout his career, Willi has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to classical music. In addition to the Salzburg Festival's Young Artist Award, he has also been awarded the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's Golden Baton Award and the International Classical Music Awards' Young Artist of the Year Award. Despite his success, Willi remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and record music, always striving to push the boundaries of classical music and create something new and innovative.

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