Alexandre Kantorow plays Bartók, Liszt, Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Bach

Biography

Alexandre Kantorow

The Austrian newspaper “Der Standard” hailed him as ‘one of the best pianists in the world’; Fanfare Magazine dubbed him ‘Liszt reborn’ (Fanfare Magazine): when Alexandre Kantorov won the first prize at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 2019, he was the first Frenchman ever to do so. Since then, engagements have taken the pianist, who comes from a family of musicians - his mother is a violinist, his father a violinist and conductor - to the world's leading orchestras. Reviewers have praised Alexandre Kantorov's interpretations for their brilliance and their captivating spontaneity. In an interview with the Digital Concert Hall, he said: ‘Sheet music is a translation system. There is a lot that is not notated, which you have to feel.’ This feeling can lead to different results in each of his concerts, he explained. ‘As musicians, we develop many techniques to create sounds. The best thing is to use these techniques to create something new out of nothing.’ His aim is to make music in which you can feel a ‘strong inner flame’, he said. Alexandre Kantorow studied with Pierre-Alain Volondat, Igor Lazko, Frank Braley and Rena Schereshewskaya. He gives solo recitals throughout Europe and is also active as a chamber musician, not least at his own festival in Nîmes in the south of France. In September 2023, he made his debut as a soloist with the Berliner Philharmoniker performing Liszt's Second Piano Concerto under the direction of Tugan Sokhiev.