graffman was born in new york city to russian-jewish parents. having started piano at age 3, graffman entered the curtis institute of music at age 7 in 1936 as a piano student of isabelle vengerova. after graduating from curtis in 1946, he made his professional solo debut with conductor eugene ormandy and the philadelphia orchestra. in 1949, graffman won the leventritt competition. he then furthered his piano studies with rudolf serkin at the marlboro music festival and informally with vladimir horowitz.