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Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord)

Born: February 28, 1964 - Paris, France

The French harpsichordist, Pierre Hantaï, became passionately attached to the music of Bach around the age of ten. Thanks to the influence of Gustav Leonhardt, he began to study the harpsichord, alone at first, then guided by the American teacher Arthur Haas. He gave his first concerts at an early age, alone or with his brothers Marc and Jérôme. He then spent two years studying in Amsterdam with Gustav Leonhardt, who subsequently invited him to perform under his direction. In 1983 Hantaï scored his first major triumph through taking first prize at the International Bach-Handel Competition of Bruges in Belgium; since then, Hantaï has collected an impressive number of honors and awards.

In 1985 Pierre Hantaï founded the chamber group Le Concert Français with his brothers Marc Hantaï and Jérome Hantaï and violinist François Fernandez. At the same time, he became a regular member of La Petite Bande, a period instrument orchestra led by Sigiswald Kuijken. He has also worked extensively with conductors Philippe Herreweghe and his former teacher Gustav Leonhardt. In those years he also collaborated with many other musicians and directors of ensembles, among them François Fernandez, Marc Minkowski, and Philippe Pierlot.

Nowadays Pierre Hantaï mostly performs as a soloist around the world. He often appears as a guest with Jordi Savall, and he also enjoys being reunited with his brothers and such friends as Hugo Reyne, Sébastien Marq, Skip Sempé, Olivier Fortin, Christophe Coin and Jean-Guihen Queyras to play chamber music.

On his own, Pierre Hantaï's recordings of works of J.S. Bach have garnered him special praise from critics, in particular his two recordings of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) (made in 1992 and 2002, respectively), a work he has played more than any other from childhood onwards. His extensive discography includes two recent recordings for Mirare: the first book of J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, and the first volume of his projected traversal of the works of Domenico Scarlatti. He also specializes in 17th century English keyboard music.


Sources:
Goldberg Website
All music Guide Website (Author: Uncle Dave Lewis)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (October 2006)

Pierre Hantaï: Short Biography | Ensembles: Le Concert Français
Bach Discography:
Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings:
Bach's Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 from P. Hantai | Bach's Toccatas for Harpsichord from Watchorn & Troeger (3 Parts) | Hantai’s Bach | P. Hantai's 2nd Recording of the Goldberg Variations | Review of Savall Musical Offering
Discussions of Instrumental Recordings:
Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - played by Pierre Hantaï

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Sigiswald Kuijken

Organ

BWV 49, BWV 58, BWV 82

Links to other Sites

Pierre Hantaï, Biography, Discography (Goldberg)
Pierre Hantaï - Biography (AMG)


Biographies of Performers: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explanation | Acronyms | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner




 

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