Craig Ketter is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant impact in the world of music. Born on May 12, 1975, in New York City, Ketter grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a violinist. From a young age, Ketter showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Ketter's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. He began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher, Vladimir Horowitz, at the age of six. Horowitz recognized Ketter's exceptional talent and took him under his wing, providing him with intensive training and guidance. Ketter's talent continued to flourish, and he began performing in public at the age of eight. He made his debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where he received a standing ovation for his performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, also known as the "Moonlight Sonata." Ketter's talent continued to grow, and he went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. He studied under the tutelage of renowned pianist and teacher, Claudio Arrau, who helped him refine his technique and develop his musical style. Ketter's career as a classical music artist took off in the early 1990s when he won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The competition, held every four years, is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. Ketter's performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, earned him the top prize, and he became the youngest winner in the competition's history. Following his win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Ketter's career took off. He began performing at major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He also began recording albums, and his recordings of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas and Chopin's Nocturnes received critical acclaim. Ketter's performances were known for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. He was praised for his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of the music, and his performances were often described as "mesmerizing" and "spellbinding." In addition to his performances and recordings, Ketter was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he mentored and inspired a new generation of classical music artists. Ketter's career was not without its challenges. In 2005, he suffered a severe injury to his right hand, which threatened to end his career. However, Ketter was determined to overcome the injury and worked tirelessly to regain his strength and dexterity. He underwent extensive physical therapy and worked with specialists to develop new techniques for playing the piano. His perseverance paid off, and he was able to return to the stage and continue his career as a classical music artist. Throughout his career, Ketter received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In addition to his win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 1998, which is awarded to outstanding classical music artists. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2009. Ketter's legacy as a classical music artist continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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