Emil Gilels was first played on NTS on 24 August 2021. Songs played include Visions Fugitives, Op. 22.

Emil Grigoryevich Gilels (Ukrainian: Емі́ль Григо́рович Гі́лельс, Russian: Эмиль Гилельс; October 19, 1916 – October 14, 1985) was a ukrainian soviet pianist.

Gilels was born in Odessa to a musical family; both his parents were musicians. He began studying the piano at six under Yakov Tkach, making his first public debut at the age of 12 in June 1929. In 1930 Gilels entered the Odessa Conservatory where he was coached by Berta Reingbald, whom Gilels credited as his first formative influence.

In 1933 Gilels won the newly-founded All Soviet…