Yakov Vladimirovich Flier was a Soviet concert pianist and teacher.
Flier was born in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Russia. Growing up, he first began teaching himself piano but soon began formal study with the pianist Sergei Nikanorovich Korsakov. Because of his expedited development, at the age of 11, he entered the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory, studying with Grigory Prokofiev, pianist and music psychologist, and then later with Sergey Kozlovsky. In 1928, he advanced and entered into study at the larger conservatory, studying under Konstantin Igumnov. His graduating performance in 1934 was extremely well attended, and soon after his career leading him to enroll in high-profile competitions.
By the 1930s, he had become one of the most prominent Russian concert pianists. He mainly performed Romantic music, although he also played some works by contemporary Russian composers Dmitry Kabalevsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, German Galynin, Sergei Prokofiev and Rodion Shchedrin.
He taught piano for many years at the Moscow Conservatory from 1937, although beginning in 1965, Flier was appointed head of one of the conservatory's several piano departments.