London Piano Festival 2020

Katya Apekisheva, described as being a “profoundly gifted artist” by Gramophone magazine, is one of Europe’s most renowned pianists, in demand internationally as both a soloist and as a chamber musician. She has been marked out as a pianist of exceptional gifts, performing with many of the world’s leading orchestras, and has received widespread critical acclaim for her interpretations. Katya is a Professor of Piano at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Sally Beamish was born in London. She studied viola at the RNCM with Patrick Ireland, and in Detmold with Bruno Giuranna, and was a founder member of the Raphael Ensemble. She also performed regularly with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the London Sinfonietta, and was principal viola in the London Mozart Players and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Originally from South Africa, Janneke Brits is a much sought-after teacher and performer, currently living in London with her pianist-husband, James Kreiling. As concerto soloist, she has performed with the Academy Beckett ensemble as a result of winning the Early Music Prize at the Guildhall School of Music, with the Guildhall Early Music ensemble and with the Blackburn Symphony Orchestra.

One of Ireland's most successful musicians, Finghin Collins was born in Dublin in 1977 and, following initial lessons with his sister Mary, studied piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with John O'Conor and at the Geneva Conservatoire with Dominique Merlet. Winner of the RTÉ Musician of the Future Competition in 1994 and the Classical Category at the National Entertainment Awards in Ireland in 1998, he went on to take first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland in 1999.

Vadym Kholodenko is fast building a reputation as one of the most musically dynamic and technically gifted young pianists. Winner of the 2013 Cliburn Competition, Kholodenko captivated audiences and critics alike with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra immediately appointing him their first Artist in Partnership for a period of three years. His latest solo disc on Harmonia Mundi, works by Scriabin won a prestigious Diapason d’Or de l’année. Previous awards include First Prizes at both the Schubert Piano Competition, Dortmund (2011) and Sendai Piano Competition (2010).

James Kreiling’s solo career has focused on music of the early 20th century - in particular the piano works of Scriabin - as well as composers still living. This has led to performances in the major concert halls of London, notably as a soloist at the 2007 BBC Proms. In 2008 James became a Park Lane Group young artist with solo recitals at the Purcell Room and St Martin-in-the-Fields. More recently, James has broadcast for BBC Radio 3, presenting the music of Jonathan Harvey, David Matthews, Peter Eotvos, Thomas Ades and Pierre Boulez.
 

Noriko Ogawa has achieved considerable renown throughout the world since her success at the Leeds International Piano Competition. Noriko’s “ravishingly poetic playing” (Telegraph) sets her apart from her contemporaries and acclaim for her complete Debussy series with BIS Records, confirms her as a fine Debussy specialist. Her Images Book I and II were chosen as the top recommendation ‘exquisite delicacy’, BBC Radio 3’s CD Review, January 2014. Noriko’s latest recording for BIS records is of solo piano music by Eric Satie.

Described by Gramophone magazine as “one of the finest British pianists of his generation”, Charles Owen has enjoyed an extensive international career performing a wide-ranging repertoire to outstanding critical acclaim. Charles’ solo recordings comprise discs of piano music by JS Bach, Janácek, Poulenc and Fauré.

David Owen Norris FSA is a pianist, composer and broadcaster. He is Professor of Musical Performance at Southampton University, a recipient of the Gilmore Artist Award, and visiting Professor at the Royal College and Royal Northern College of Music. He is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.

Marcus du Sautoy is the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the Oxford University, a chair he holds jointly at the Department of Continuing Education and the Mathematical Institute. In 2001 he won the prestigious Berwick Prize of the London Mathematical Society awarded every two years to reward the best mathematical research made by a mathematician under 40. In 2004 Esquire Magazine chose him as one of the 100 most influential people under 40 in Britain and in 2008 he was included in the prestigious directory Who’s Who. He received an OBE for services to science in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List.

Kathryn Stott, recognised as one of Britain’s most versatile and imaginative musicians. She is International Chair at the RNCM and a Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Maintaining a keen interest in contemporary music, Kathryn has had many works written for her. She has also been the artistic vision behind several major festivals and concert series in the United Kingdom and in Italy, establishing a reputation as an astute programmer. She is the Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

Marcin Wasilewski is one of the brightest stars of the Polish jazz scene, a celebrated ECM recording artist, recognised for his unique talent in blending jazz piano tradition with contemporary sound. His dynamic playing and melodic sound makes him one of the most defining voices of contemporary jazz. Wasilweski, solo or with his ensemble The Marcin Wasilewski Trio, has collaborated with artists such as Charles Lloyd, Al Foster, Branford Marsalis, Nils Petter Molvær, Jan Garbarek, Joe Lovano, Dino Saluzzi, Manu Katché, Jon Christensen to name a few. Wasilewski has won numerous Fryderyk Music Awards (‘Polish Grammys’) for Jazz Album of the Year and Jazz Artist of the Year.