Florian Mitrea  piano  September 2012, October 2013, March 2018

Described by Martha Argerich as an outstanding young pianist, British-Romanian pianist Florian Mitrea was a double laureate at the 2017 Scottish, 2015 Hamamatsu and 2104 ARD Munich International Piano competitions.  He was also a joint winner of the 2016 Verona International Competition and a major prize winner at the RNCM’s 2016 James Mottram International Competition.  

Born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1989, Florian started studying piano with Professor Flavia Moldovan at the age of 6.  He continued his studies at The George Enescu Music High School, under Professor Gabriela Enăşescu, and from there his passion for music led to his being awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music under Professor Diana Ketler.  From here he graduated with a First Class B Mus and a Dip RAM MA, winning two special awards for outstanding studentship.  He is now a teacher with the RAM’s Piano Department, and continues his studies at the Imola Piano Academy in Italy, under Boris Petrushansky.  Florian has also worked with pianists Leif Ove Adsnes, Stephen Kovacevich, John Lill, Pascal Devoyon and Joanna MacGregor.

Following the recommendation of Professor Christopher Elton, Florian gave the première of Dr. Timothy Jones’ completed version of the Concerto for Piano, Violin and Orchestra by Mozart, together with the violinist Yuka Ishizuka and the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, under Professor David Strange.  He has performed at the King’s Place, Steinway Hall-London and the Drapers’ Hall, in London.  His concerto engagements have included performances with the Philharmonia, George Enescu Philharmonia, Romanian Chamber Orchestra and the Collegium Musicum in Basel.  Reviewers have described his playing as having “stupendous virtuosity” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) and “phenomenal precision throughout” (The Herald).

Florian’s performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, on Romanian Radio and Television, and on SWR2 and BR-Klassik in Germany.  His discography includes a collaboration with soprano Mary Bevan for Nimbus records, and his first solo CD – Following the river – recorded in Germany for Acousence Records and released in the winter of 2017.