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United States of America
Stephen Kovacevich
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About Stephen Kovacevich
A highly regarded pianist featured in the Philips label’s Great Pianists of the 20th Century series, Stephen Kovacevich was particularly known for his original approach to the standard classical repertoire. Prominent in his repertoire was the music of such composers as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Grieg, Brahms, and Bartók, but he was also an acclaimed interpreter of contemporary music, including the piano concertos of Michael Tippett and Richard Rodney Bennett (the latter work being dedicated to Kovacevich).
Born Stephen Bishop in Los Angeles, 1940, he added his Croatian mother’s surname, Kovacevich, in 1975, just in time to avoid confusion with popular singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop. Later in his career, however, he decided to use just the Croatian surname. He played his first concert in San Francisco at the age of 11.
When he was 14, he played Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, Kovacevich went to London, where he studied with Dame Myra Hess. A highly influential teacher, Hess recognized and encouraged Kovacevich’s affinity with Beethoven’s music, particularly the works from his late period.
At his London debut, in 1961, Kovacevich played Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations to enthusiastic reviews. Following his London triumph, Kovacevich embarked on a brilliant international career, performing with many major orchestras and making numerous acclaimed recordings, including legendary performances with Martha Argerich and Jacqueline du Pré.
Kovacevich, who played all of Mozart’s concertos, was also known for his acclaimed series of Schubert and Beethoven sonatas. His Beethoven recordings were central to his discography. His sonata performances were prized for their intensity, rhythmic drive, and structural clarity, and he returned time and again to the late sonatas that Hess had encouraged him to explore. He also recorded the “Diabelli” Variations, the work that had launched his London career, and the five piano concertos with Colin Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was also a notable Brahms interpreter, and his recording with Wolfgang Sawallisch of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 received the 1993 Gramophone Award. He had an exclusive recording contract with EMI.
In 1984, Kovacevich started a conducting career, and went on to conduct the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Also known for his support of contemporary composers, Kovacevich commissioned Stephen Montague’s Southern Lament and performed the premiere at the 1997 Cheltenham International Music Festival. Also a teacher, Kovacevich published a scholarly edition of Schubert’s piano music. Stephen Kovacevich died on October 27, 2026.
Born Stephen Bishop in Los Angeles, 1940, he added his Croatian mother’s surname, Kovacevich, in 1975, just in time to avoid confusion with popular singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop. Later in his career, however, he decided to use just the Croatian surname. He played his first concert in San Francisco at the age of 11.
When he was 14, he played Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, Kovacevich went to London, where he studied with Dame Myra Hess. A highly influential teacher, Hess recognized and encouraged Kovacevich’s affinity with Beethoven’s music, particularly the works from his late period.
At his London debut, in 1961, Kovacevich played Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations to enthusiastic reviews. Following his London triumph, Kovacevich embarked on a brilliant international career, performing with many major orchestras and making numerous acclaimed recordings, including legendary performances with Martha Argerich and Jacqueline du Pré.
Kovacevich, who played all of Mozart’s concertos, was also known for his acclaimed series of Schubert and Beethoven sonatas. His Beethoven recordings were central to his discography. His sonata performances were prized for their intensity, rhythmic drive, and structural clarity, and he returned time and again to the late sonatas that Hess had encouraged him to explore. He also recorded the “Diabelli” Variations, the work that had launched his London career, and the five piano concertos with Colin Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was also a notable Brahms interpreter, and his recording with Wolfgang Sawallisch of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 received the 1993 Gramophone Award. He had an exclusive recording contract with EMI.
In 1984, Kovacevich started a conducting career, and went on to conduct the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Also known for his support of contemporary composers, Kovacevich commissioned Stephen Montague’s Southern Lament and performed the premiere at the 1997 Cheltenham International Music Festival. Also a teacher, Kovacevich published a scholarly edition of Schubert’s piano music. Stephen Kovacevich died on October 27, 2026.
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