Emil Gilels was a renowned Russian pianist who was widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He was known for his technical mastery and emotional depth in his performances. Gilels was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and began studying piano at the age of five. He went on to study at the Moscow Conservatory, where he graduated with honors in 1940. Throughout his career, Gilels performed extensively in Europe, the United States, and the Soviet Union. He was also a professor at the Moscow Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. Gilels was awarded numerous honors, including the Lenin Prize, the Order of Lenin, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.