Vladimir Horowitz is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of all time, known for his staggering technical facility and his unique 'electric' tone. He shot to fame in the U.S. after his 1928 debut with the New York Philharmonic. Horowitz was a master of the Romantic repertoire, especially the works of Liszt, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. He was famous for his use of a flat-fingered technique, which allowed him to achieve incredible speed and power. Despite his fame, he suffered from stage fright and took several long breaks from performing. His 1965 'Historic Return' to Carnegie Hall after a 12-year absence was a major musical event. Horowitz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and 25 Grammy Awards, and his recordings remain essential listening for any student of the piano.