Aurélie Saraf is a French classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and musical interpretations. Born on May 15, 1985, in Paris, France, Saraf showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents, both music lovers, recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Saraf's musical education began at the Conservatoire de Paris, where she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and pedagogue Jacques Rouvier. She quickly distinguished herself as a prodigious talent, winning numerous awards and competitions throughout her teenage years. In 2003, she was awarded first prize at the International Piano Competition in Epinal, France, and in 2004, she won the prestigious Prix d'Honneur at the Concours International de Piano d'Orléans. After completing her studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, Saraf continued her musical education at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in Germany, where she studied with pianist and pedagogue Pierre-Laurent Aimard. During this time, she also participated in masterclasses with some of the world's most renowned pianists, including Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, and Maurizio Pollini. Saraf's career as a professional pianist began in earnest in 2008, when she won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Porto, Portugal. This victory brought her to the attention of the international classical music community, and she soon began receiving invitations to perform at major concert halls and festivals around the world. One of Saraf's most notable performances came in 2010, when she was invited to perform at the prestigious Lucerne Festival in Switzerland. Her performance of Olivier Messiaen's "Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus" was widely praised by critics and established her as one of the leading interpreters of Messiaen's music. In addition to her solo performances, Saraf has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. In 2012, she performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Orchestre National de France under the baton of Daniele Gatti, and in 2014, she performed Ravel's Piano Concerto in G with the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of François-Xavier Roth. Saraf's recordings have also received critical acclaim. In 2015, she released a recording of Messiaen's "Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus" on the Harmonia Mundi label, which was named one of the best classical recordings of the year by The New York Times. She has also recorded works by Debussy, Ravel, and Schumann, among others. Throughout her career, Saraf has been recognized for her musical achievements with numerous awards and honors. In 2011, she was awarded the Prix des Muses by the French Ministry of Culture, and in 2016, she was named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of her contributions to the arts. Today, Saraf continues to perform regularly at major concert halls and festivals around the world, and she remains committed to exploring new and innovative ways of interpreting classical music. Her passion for music and her dedication to her craft have made her one of the most exciting and dynamic pianists of her generation.

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