Miklós Sebestyén was a Hungarian classical pianist and music educator who was born on January 18, 1931, in Budapest, Hungary. He was the son of a music teacher and began playing the piano at a young age. Sebestyén's talent was quickly recognized, and he was accepted into the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest at the age of 14. Sebestyén studied under some of the most renowned piano teachers of his time, including Zoltán Kodály, Béla Bartók, and Ernst von Dohnányi. He also received guidance from pianist György Cziffra, who was a close friend and mentor. Sebestyén's career as a pianist began in the 1950s, and he quickly gained recognition for his virtuosic performances and musical interpretations. He won several international piano competitions, including the Geneva International Music Competition in 1952 and the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris in 1953. Sebestyén's performances were characterized by his technical precision and emotional depth. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Hungarian composers, including Béla Bartók and Franz Liszt. He also performed the works of other classical composers, such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart. In addition to his career as a performer, Sebestyén was also a dedicated music educator. He taught at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest for over 30 years, and many of his students went on to become successful musicians in their own right. Sebestyén's career was marked by several notable performances and awards. In 1956, he performed at the Edinburgh International Festival, where he received critical acclaim for his performance of Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 2. He also performed at the Salzburg Festival in 1960 and 1961, where he played the works of Mozart and Beethoven. Sebestyén received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Kossuth Prize, which is the highest honor awarded to artists in Hungary. He was also awarded the Franz Liszt Prize and the Bartók-Pásztory Prize for his contributions to Hungarian music. Sebestyén continued to perform and teach until his death on January 14, 1999, in Budapest. He left behind a legacy as one of Hungary's most celebrated classical pianists and music educators. His recordings and performances continue to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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