Renowned American pianist, Misha Dichter, was born on September 27, 1945 to Polish-Jewish parents who fled to Shanghai during WWII. When Misha was 2, the family relocated to California where he began his serious piano studies at age 5. As a young adult, he moved to New York to attend Juilliard where he studied under the famed pedagogue, Rosina Lhévinne.  While in school, he won the Silver medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow which brought him international attention after which he concertized with many of the major orchestras around the world. He made his New York debut with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein in 1968.  While at Juilliard, he met his future wife, Cipa, a gifted Brazilian pianist in her own right.  Together, they formed a professional partnership and as such, undertook the presentation of many overlooked and rarely performed pieces for 2 pianos and four-hands. They recorded the complete piano works for four hands by Mozart released as a 3 CD set by Nimbus Records.

In mid-career, a genetically based syndrome beset Mr. Dichter, nearly ending his l career.  It is known as Dupuytren’s Contracture which causes the fingers to pull inward toward the palm, ultimately rendering them completely inflexible. It developed over the course of several years , firstin one hand then the other. With the help of a dedicated New York hand surgeon and years of hard work by Mr. Dichter, his fingers were restored to their normal function and his musical career could continue.

Besides his love for the piano, Mr. Dichter is a visual artist.  His attraction to making art can sometimes extend even to his musical scores.