The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Abbey Simon, piano virtuoso attentive to music’s ‘inner life,’ dies at 99

December 22, 2019 at 6:43 p.m. EST
Abbey Simon was known for his interpretations of Romantic composers such as Chopin and Rachmaninoff. (University of Houston)

Abbey Simon, a piano virtuoso whose rhythmic flexibility, rich colorings and unerring fingers elevated recordings and performances at concert halls around the world, died Dec. 18 at his home in Geneva. He was three weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

His son, Jonathan Simon, confirmed the death but did not give a precise cause.