Maurizio Pollini, the Italian pianist, was known for his precision, clarity, and intellectual discipline. Winner of the 1960 Chopin Competition, he became a leading interpreter of Chopin, Beethoven, and modern composers like Boulez. Pollini’s playing emphasized structural integrity and purity of sound, often preferring restraint over excess. His long career established him as one of the most respected pianists of the 20th century.