Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Francette Bartholomée was born on May 5, 1952, in Brussels, Belgium. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a violinist and her mother a pianist. From a young age, Bartholomée showed a natural talent for music and began studying the piano at the age of six. Bartholomée's musical education continued at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where she studied under the renowned pianist Eduardo del Pueyo. She graduated with honors in 1973 and went on to further her studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, under the tutelage of Paul Badura-Skoda. In 1975, Bartholomée won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Senigallia, Italy, which launched her career as a concert pianist. She quickly gained recognition for her virtuosic performances and musical sensitivity, and began performing regularly throughout Europe and the United States. One of Bartholomée's most notable performances was at the 1980 Salzburg Festival, where she performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Herbert von Karajan. The performance was widely praised for Bartholomée's delicate touch and nuanced interpretation of the piece. Throughout her career, Bartholomée has collaborated with many renowned conductors and orchestras, including Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed at many prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. In addition to her concert career, Bartholomée has also been a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and has given masterclasses around the world. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as pianists themselves. Bartholomée's recordings have also received critical acclaim. Her recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 20 and 21 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Claudio Abbado won the Grand Prix du Disque in 1983. She has also recorded works by Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and Debussy, among others. Throughout her career, Bartholomée has received numerous awards and honors. In 1986, she was awarded the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her contributions to the arts. She was also awarded the Order of the Crown by the Belgian government in 1992. Bartholomée continues to perform and teach, and remains a beloved figure in the classical music world. Her dedication to her craft and her musical sensitivity have made her one of the most respected pianists of her generation.

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