Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

May 24, 1981 in Tarbes, France

 

David Fray is a French classical pianist who was born on May 24, 1981, in Tarbes, France. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a piano teacher and his father a double bass player. Fray began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from a young age. Fray's musical education began at the Conservatoire de Tarbes, where he studied with Jacques Rouvier. He later continued his studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he studied with Jacques Rouvier and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Fray also received guidance from renowned pianists such as Murray Perahia and Christoph Eschenbach. In 2004, Fray won the Second Prize at the Montreal International Music Competition, which marked the beginning of his international career. He has since performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Fray's repertoire is diverse, ranging from Bach to contemporary composers. He is particularly known for his interpretations of Bach's keyboard works, which he has recorded extensively. His recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, released in 2008, received critical acclaim and established him as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. Fray has also collaborated with many renowned conductors and orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He has performed under the baton of conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Daniel Harding, and Riccardo Chailly. In addition to his performances, Fray is also a dedicated teacher. He has given masterclasses at institutions such as the Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Fray's achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2008, he was awarded the Victoires de la Musique Classique in the category of "Instrumental Soloist of the Year." He was also named a "Rising Star" by the European Concert Hall Organization in 2008, which led to a series of concerts in major concert halls across Europe. Fray's recordings have also received critical acclaim and have won several awards. In addition to his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, his recording of Schubert's Impromptus won the Diapason d'Or in 2009. His recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 22 and 25 with the Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Jaap van Zweden was also highly praised. Fray's musical style is characterized by his sensitivity and attention to detail. He is known for his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of the music he plays, and his performances are often described as poetic and introspective. In recent years, Fray has expanded his repertoire to include contemporary composers such as Olivier Messiaen and György Ligeti. He has also collaborated with other musicians, including the cellist Edgar Moreau and the violinist Renaud Capuçon. Fray's dedication to his craft and his passion for music have made him one of the most respected and admired pianists of his generation. His performances continue to captivate audiences around the world, and his recordings are considered some of the finest interpretations of classical music.

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