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 and later became a professor there. Gilels performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and was awarded numerous honors and awards for his contributions to classical music.