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Composer  

Birth

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August 11, 1977 in Monte Carlo, Monaco

 

Nicolas Horvath is a French classical pianist who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and dedication to contemporary music. Born on January 22, 1977, in Paris, France, Horvath began playing the piano at the age of five and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied at the Conservatoire National de Région de Boulogne-Billancourt and later at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he earned his diploma with honors. Horvath's early career was marked by a series of impressive performances and awards. In 1996, he won first prize at the International Piano Competition of Brest, and in 1998, he was awarded the Prix de la Fondation de France. He also won the Prix de la Fondation Cziffra in 2001, which allowed him to study with the renowned pianist György Cziffra. Horvath's repertoire is vast and includes works by classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin, as well as contemporary composers such as Philip Glass, Terry Riley, and Arvo Pärt. He is particularly known for his performances of the music of Erik Satie, and in 2013, he released a recording of Satie's complete piano works, which was praised by critics for its sensitivity and nuance. In addition to his solo performances, Horvath has collaborated with a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Orchestre National de Lorraine, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has also performed at major music festivals around the world, including the Festival d'Automne à Paris, the Festival de La Roque d'Anthéron, and the Festival de Radio France et Montpellier. One of Horvath's most notable performances took place in 2014, when he played a marathon concert of the complete piano works of Philip Glass at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The concert lasted over 12 hours and was hailed as a triumph of endurance and musicality. Horvath has also performed Glass's music at the composer's request, including a performance of his Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic. Horvath's dedication to contemporary music has led him to commission and premiere works by a number of composers, including Michael Nyman, Alvin Curran, and Ivan Fedele. He has also recorded several albums of contemporary music, including a recording of Terry Riley's In C and a collection of works by the minimalist composer La Monte Young. In addition to his performing career, Horvath is also a respected musicologist and has written extensively on the music of Satie and Glass. He has published several books on these composers, including Satie et les fantaisies d'un pianiste solitaire and Philip Glass: Les heures du jour et de la nuit. Horvath's dedication to music has earned him numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2012, he was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recording of Satie's complete piano works, and in 2015, he was named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of his contributions to the arts. Today, Horvath continues to perform and record music, and his dedication to contemporary music and lesser-known composers has made him a unique and important figure in the classical music world.

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