Yvonne Loriod was a remarkably talented pianist, well known for her performances and recordings of 20th century piano literature, as well as for being a valued musical assistant to her husband, Olivier Messiaen, who wrote many works with her playing in mind. Her style was marked by its rich colorfulness and her keen sense of rhythm. Loriod was also an influential teacher, with Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Roger Muraro, and Peter Donohoe among her many students.