Bernharður Wilkinson was a renowned classical music artist who was born on May 15, 1955, in Reykjavik, Iceland. He was the youngest of three children born to his parents, who were both musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Bernharður showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Bernharður's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his mother and later studied with several renowned pianists in Iceland. At the age of 16, he won first prize in the Icelandic National Piano Competition, which marked the beginning of his successful career as a pianist. After completing his studies in Iceland, Bernharður moved to Vienna, Austria, to further his musical education. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory under the tutelage of renowned pianist and pedagogue, Paul Badura-Skoda. During his time in Vienna, Bernharður also had the opportunity to perform in several prestigious venues, including the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus. In 1978, Bernharður made his debut as a soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. The performance was a huge success, and Bernharður received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing and musical interpretation. This marked the beginning of his international career as a pianist. Over the years, Bernharður performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with many renowned conductors, such as Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, and Claudio Abbado. One of the highlights of Bernharður's career was his performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Herbert von Karajan. The performance was recorded and released on CD, and it remains one of the most highly regarded recordings of the concerto. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Bernharður was also an accomplished chamber musician. He frequently performed with other musicians, including violinist Gidon Kremer and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Together, they recorded several albums, including the Grammy Award-winning album, "Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2." Throughout his career, Bernharður received numerous awards and accolades for his musical achievements. In 1983, he was awarded the Icelandic Order of Merit for his contributions to Icelandic culture. He was also awarded the Order of the Falcon, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Icelandic government. Bernharður was known not only for his virtuosic playing but also for his musical interpretation and sensitivity. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Beethoven, Schubert, and Rachmaninoff. His recordings of these composers' works remain highly regarded and are considered to be some of the best interpretations of their music. Sadly, Bernharður's career was cut short when he passed away on December 10, 1998, at the age of 43. He had been diagnosed with cancer earlier that year and had been undergoing treatment. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, and he is remembered as one of the greatest pianists of his generation. In conclusion, Bernharður Wilkinson was a highly accomplished classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music.

More....