Solomon Cutner, better known as simply Solomon, was a British classical pianist who was born on August 9, 1902, in London, England. He was the youngest of three children born to a Jewish family. His father, Isaac Cutner, was a tailor, and his mother, Sarah, was a homemaker. Solomon showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. Solomon's talent was quickly recognized, and he began taking piano lessons with Mathilde Verne, a renowned pianist and teacher. He made his public debut at the age of eight, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor with the London Symphony Orchestra. This performance was a huge success, and Solomon was hailed as a child prodigy. Solomon continued to study with Verne and made his first recording at the age of 12. He went on to study with other notable pianists, including Tobias Matthay and Harold Bauer. In 1920, he won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Solomon's career as a concert pianist began in earnest in the 1920s. He made his debut in New York City in 1926, performing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He also performed in Europe, including in Paris, Berlin, and Vienna. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest pianists of his generation. One of Solomon's most notable performances was his 1937 performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, also known as the "Emperor" concerto. He performed this piece with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Sir Thomas Beecham. This performance was recorded and is still considered one of the greatest recordings of this piece. Solomon was also known for his performances of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. He was one of the first pianists to perform Bach's keyboard works on the modern piano, rather than on a harpsichord or clavichord. He recorded several of Bach's keyboard works, including the Goldberg Variations and the Partitas. In addition to his performances, Solomon was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His students included the pianist John Lill. Solomon's career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the British Army and was stationed in India. He continued to perform for troops during the war and gave several concerts in India and Burma. After the war, Solomon resumed his career as a concert pianist. He continued to perform and record until the 1950s, when he began to suffer from health problems. He retired from performing in 1956. Solomon received many honors and awards during his career. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1946 and was knighted in 1956. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1951. Solomon died on February 2, 1988, at the age of 85. He is remembered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. His recordings continue to be admired for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity.

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