Ginzburg first studied with his mother before being accepted as a student in Alexander Goldenweiser's class at Moscow Conservatory. In 1927 he gained fourth prize in the Warsaw International Frederick Chopin Competition. He was recognized as one of the finest musicians in the Soviet Union and toured Europe several times. He became professor at Moscow Conservatory in 1929 and was a very important teacher. Some of his well known students are Gleb Axelrod, Sergei Dorensky, Regina Shamvili and Sulamita Aronovsky. Ginzburg is famous for his piano touch that has ties with the tradition of 19th century players such as Franz Liszt. His eclectic repertoire and his art of transcription make of him one of the most special performers in piano history.