Ashkenazy, Vladimir (1937-...), a Soviet-born pianist and conductor, ranks among the finest piano soloists of his generation. He gained fame for the warmth and delicacy of his style. Ashkenazy has been praised for his interpretations of such Russian composers as Sergei Prokofiev, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Alexander Scriabin. He also specializes in the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and Robert Schumann.