Шура Черкасский was a Russian-born classical pianist who began his career in the early 20th century, later settling in the United States and performing a repertoire centred on Romantic and early 20th-century works. He specialised in virtuosic Romantic repertoire, frequently performing works by Rachmaninoff and other composers of that period, and his long international career included numerous concert tours and recordings that reflect mid-20th-century classical performance practice.