Vladimir Feltsman (full name Vladimir Oskarovich Feltsman; born January 8, 1952) is a Soviet and American pianist. Born in Moscow, he is the son of the composer Oskar Feltsman.
He studied with Yevgeny Timakin, whom he later called a “great teacher,” and subsequently graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied with Yakov Flier. He made his debut at the Moscow State Philharmonic in 1962.
In 1967, Feltsman won the youth performers’ competition Concertino Prague. In 1971, he received the first prize, or Grand Prix, at the Marguerite Long International Piano Competition in Paris.
Musicologist Leonid Gakkel characterized Feltsman’s artistry as aristocratic, noting that the virtuosity of his youth developed into a refined, restrained pianistic manner independent of popular taste. Gakkel also emphasized Feltsman’s repertoire of extensive Bach and contemporary music, including works by less widely known composers.
Feltsman has devoted time to conducting and musical pedagogy, and he organized an unusual summer school in the United States for young performers. In 2006, he conducted Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte at the Mariinsky Theatre.