Flier, Iakov

Born Oct. 8 (21), 1912, in Orekhovo-Zuevo; died Dec. 18, 1977, in Moscow. Soviet pianist. People’s Artist of the USSR (1966). Member of the CPSU from 1943.

Flier entered the Moscow Conservatory in 1934 and enrolled in its graduate program in 1937, studying with K. N. Igumnov. He began performing in 1935 and toured Europe and the USA. Flier won first prize at the Second All-Union Competition for Performing Musicians in Leningrad in 1935 and at the International Competition for Pianists in Vienna in 1936 and third prize at the Eugène Ysaye International Competition for Pianists in Brussels in 1938. He began teaching at the Moscow Conservatory in 1937, becoming a professor in 1947. Among his students are L. N. Vlasenko, R. K. Shchedrin, V. O. Fel’tsman, and M. A. Pletnev.

Flier’s playing, which was in the romantic style, was noted for its vitality and virtuosity. His renditions of the major works of F. Liszt (Sonata in B minor), F. Chopin (Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor), and S. V. Rachmaninoff (Concerto No. 3) were especially noteworthy.

Flier was awarded four orders and several medals.