Philip Howard was born on May 12, 1985, in London, England. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a renowned pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Howard showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Howard's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his father and quickly developed his skills. By the age of ten, Howard had already won several local piano competitions and was gaining recognition as a prodigious young talent. In 1997, Howard was accepted into the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, England. The school is known for its rigorous musical training and has produced many world-class musicians. Howard thrived in this environment and continued to develop his skills as a pianist. After graduating from the Yehudi Menuhin School, Howard went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London. He studied under the renowned pianist and teacher, John Lill, and graduated with honors in 2007. Howard's career as a professional pianist began to take off shortly after graduation. He won several international piano competitions, including the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2009. This competition is one of the most prestigious in the world and has launched the careers of many famous pianists. Howard's performance at the Leeds International Piano Competition was widely praised for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. He played a challenging program that included works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. His performance of Liszt's Sonata in B minor was particularly impressive and earned him a standing ovation from the audience. Following his success at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Howard began to receive invitations to perform at major concert halls around the world. He has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Howard's most memorable performances was at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2011. He performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev. The performance was broadcast live on television and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Howard is also an accomplished chamber musician. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including violinist Maxim Vengerov and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He is a regular performer at major music festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. Howard's recordings have also received critical acclaim. He has recorded several albums for the Hyperion label, including a highly praised recording of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas. His recording of Chopin's Nocturnes was also widely praised for its sensitivity and musicality. In recognition of his achievements as a pianist, Howard has received several awards and honors. In 2010, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Young Artist Award. This award is given to young musicians who show exceptional promise and talent. Howard was also awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2012. This grant is given to outstanding young musicians who are on the verge of a major career breakthrough.

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