Ian Aitkenhead was born on May 12, 1985, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Ian showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Ian's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with his father and quickly progressed, showing a natural ability for the instrument. By the age of ten, Ian had already won several local piano competitions and was performing in public regularly. In 1997, Ian was accepted into the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, England. The school is renowned for its musical excellence and has produced many world-class musicians. Ian studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Peter Feuchtwanger, who recognized his exceptional talent and helped him to develop his skills further. During his time at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Ian won several awards and competitions, including the prestigious Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition. He also performed in many concerts and recitals, both at the school and in other venues across the UK. After graduating from the Yehudi Menuhin School, Ian went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London. He continued to excel in his studies and won several more awards and competitions, including the Royal Overseas League Piano Competition and the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Scholarship. Ian's talent and hard work paid off when he was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2007. He played Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, receiving critical acclaim for his performance. This was a major highlight of Ian's career and helped to establish him as one of the leading pianists of his generation. Since then, Ian has performed in many prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Sydney Opera House. He has collaborated with many renowned conductors and orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Ian's repertoire is extensive, ranging from classical to contemporary music. He has a particular affinity for the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, and has recorded several albums of their music. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have been praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. In addition to his performing career, Ian is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at several music schools and universities, including the Royal College of Music and the Juilliard School in New York. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of musicians and helping them to develop their own unique talents. Ian's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him many accolades and awards throughout his career. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of classical music. He has also been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. In conclusion, Ian Aitkenhead is a world-class pianist who has established himself as one of the leading musicians of his generation.

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