Samson François ( 1937 - 1970 ) was born in Frankfurt, Germany. He trained in Nice, France and eventually studied with Alfred Cortot. François heavily recorded Chopin, Debussy and Ravel to critical acclaim. As a composer he wrote and recorded his own Piano Concerto and it was released under the EMI label with himself as the pianist. His lavish style led to a decline in play and health and he died at the early age of 52.