Krystian Zimerman (born 1956) - one of the most acclaimed contemporary pianists. He graduated from the Katowice Academy of Music. His repertoire includes the works of Beethoven, List, Schubert, Brahms, Chopin and Szymanowski. He has won awards at many international competitions, like the Hradec Kralove Beethoven Competition (1973), and the Warsaw Chopin Competition (1975). In the 1980s he went on an international tour with Leonard Bernstein. In 1999 he perfomed at concerts in Europe with the Polish Festival Orchestra. He has lived in Basel since 1984 and lectures there since 1996. In 2005 he was honoured with the title of the doctor honoris causa of the Academy of Music in Katowice.
