Fülöp Ránki is a renowned Hungarian classical pianist who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on 14th January 1951 in Budapest, Hungary, Ránki was raised in a family of musicians. His father, Ferenc Ránki, was a composer and conductor, while his mother, Ilona Prunyi, was a pianist. Growing up in such a musical environment, it was no surprise that Ránki developed a keen interest in music from a young age. Ránki began his piano studies at the age of six with his mother, Ilona Prunyi. He later went on to study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he was taught by some of the most renowned pianists of the time, including György Kurtág, Ferenc Rados, and Zoltán Kocsis. Ránki's talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly gained recognition for his exceptional skills as a pianist. In 1972, Ránki won first prize at the Hungarian Radio Piano Competition, which marked the beginning of his successful career as a pianist. He went on to win several other prestigious awards, including the Franz Liszt Prize in 1977 and the Kossuth Prize in 1996. These awards not only recognized Ránki's exceptional talent but also cemented his position as one of the most prominent classical pianists of his time. Throughout his career, Ránki has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls around the world, including the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He has also collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic. One of Ránki's most notable performances was his rendition of Béla Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle in 2008. The performance was highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, and it showcased Ránki's exceptional skills as a pianist. Apart from his performances, Ránki is also a highly respected teacher and has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg. He has also served as a jury member for several international piano competitions, including the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Utrecht. Ránki's repertoire is vast and includes works by some of the most renowned composers, including Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Béla Bartók, and his recordings of Bartók's piano works have received critical acclaim. In addition to his solo performances, Ránki has also collaborated with several chamber music ensembles, including the Takács Quartet and the Keller Quartet. His collaborations with these ensembles have resulted in several highly acclaimed recordings, including the complete works for piano and strings by Mozart and Schumann. Ránki's contribution to the world of classical music has been recognized by several prestigious institutions, including the Hungarian Academy of Arts and Sciences, which elected him as a corresponding member in 2003. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to Hungarian culture.

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