Gary Graffman

About

Classical musician known for his recording of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" for Woody Allen's Manhattan from 1979.

Before Fame

He began studying under Isabelle Vengerova at the Curtis Institute of Music when he was seven.

Trivia

His playing was challenged in 1979 after a sprain in the right ring finger, possibly caused by focal dystonia, forced him to stop using his right hand completely.

Family Life

His parents were of Russian-Jewish origin. His talent for the piano became evident when he was three.

Associated With

He and conductor Leonard Bernstein recorded Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1964 with the New York Philharmonic.