JOHAN SCHMIDT

• Among the greatest Belgian pianists of all time, his perfect technique and rare interpretive sensibility combines impeccable virtuosity with an elegant and enchanting sound.
  Schmidt has been awarded prizes at the most important piano competitions (Tchaikovsky in Moscow 3rd prize, Van Cliburn 4th prize, Queen Elizabeth 4th prize and the audience prize, International Japan Competition 1st prize, Maria Callas Athens 1st prize) and performs at concerts around the world.
  Schmidt holds the position of professor of piano at the Conservatoire Royal in Brussels, Qingdao University in China and the University of Senzoku Gakuen in Japan.
  He also hosts masterclasses in Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, the Académie d’été in Nice, and Shanghai.
  Many of his students have gone on to win important international competitions.

FABIO AFRUNE

• The Italian pianist Fabio Afrune graduated cum laude at the Conservatoire in Perugia with special mention, before continuing his studies with Johan Schmidt and David Levy at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, where he was awarded a Master’s degree in piano “avec Grand distinction” and a Master Spécialisé “avec Distinction”.
  Afrune has won the Roscini Prize, a scholarship from the Rotary Club in Bruxelles, and theprestigious Gerofi Baschwitz Prize, which is awarded to outstanding graduates by the Conservatoire de Bruxelles.
  Afrune’s current activities include teaching and performing at numerous concerts, both as a soloist, and with choir and orchestra, for audiences in Italy, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Thailand.
  He has recorded many pieces by contemporary composers, and notably performed Luigi Nono’s “Polifonica-Monodia-Ritmica” in the presence of Nuria Schönberg Nono.