Claudio Arrau was a Chilean pianist who was renowned for his interpretations of the works of Ludwig van Beethoven. He was born in Chile in 1903 and began studying piano at the age of five. He went on to become one of the most celebrated pianists of the 20th century, performing with some of the world's leading orchestras and recording extensively. He was also a professor at the University of Chile and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid. His interpretations of Beethoven's works were particularly admired, and he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his contribution to classical music.