Walter Gieseking

Born in Lyon, France, to German parents, Walter Gieseking seemed destined for a life of meticulous musicality rather than, say, a career in comedy. He spent his early years traveling extensively, which perhaps explains his later desire to settle down with a piano and just play the heck out of it. And play he did, becoming a celebrated interpreter of Debussy and Ravel, proving that not all French-German relations are fraught with tension.

However, Gieseking's biography hits a rather discordant note during World War II. While many artists fled Nazi Germany, Gieseking remained, performing extensively in Germany and occupied territories. He claimed he was merely a musician doing his job, and post-war denazification tribunals eventually cleared him to resume his career, albeit with a persistent whiff of controversy.

Despite the lingering questions about his wartime activities, Gieseking's technical prowess and nuanced playing are undeniable. He set a high bar for future pianists, though perhaps not for moral fortitude during a global conflict. So, while his fingers may have been pure gold, his political compass apparently needed a tune-up.