Larry Russell was born on May 15, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical violinist. From a young age, Larry showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. As a child, Larry was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and pop. He was particularly drawn to classical music and began studying it seriously at the age of eight. He took lessons with several renowned piano teachers and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent. Larry's first major performance came when he was just ten years old. He was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of a young artist showcase. The performance was a huge success, and Larry received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Over the next few years, Larry continued to perform at major venues around the world. He played at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. He also appeared on several television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2003, Larry won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The competition is one of the most prestigious in the world, and winning it is considered a major achievement in the classical music world. Larry's performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 was particularly praised by the judges and critics. Following his win at the Van Cliburn competition, Larry's career took off. He was invited to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He also recorded several albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas. In 2010, Larry was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The prize is awarded annually to a musician who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and excellence in the field of classical music. Larry was the youngest musician ever to receive the award, and it cemented his reputation as one of the most talented pianists of his generation. Despite his success, Larry remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to practice for several hours a day and was always looking for ways to improve his playing. He also became a mentor to young musicians, offering advice and guidance to those who were just starting out in the industry. In 2015, Larry announced that he would be taking a break from performing to focus on teaching. He had always been passionate about education and wanted to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of musicians. He began teaching at several prestigious music schools, including the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music. Today, Larry is considered one of the greatest pianists of his generation. His performances are renowned for their technical brilliance and emotional depth, and his recordings continue to be celebrated by critics and audiences alike. He remains a beloved figure in the classical music world and an inspiration to young musicians around the world.

More....