Alexander Schimpf, pianist

Alexander Schimpf is called an exceptional pianist early on in his career. His first CD with orchestra was published by CAvi music in 2002, documenting his long-term cooperation with Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie. For the recording of the Mozart Piano Concertos K. 413 – 415 under Gabriel Adorján, Alexander added his own   cadenzas making his personal involvement with Mozart audible in a special way.

Competition success in Bonn (German Music Competition 2008), Vienna (1st prize International Beethoven Competition 2009) and Cleveland/USA (1st prize Cleveland International Piano Competition 2011), established Alexander as globally sought after soloist.   Despite steep international success, he shows a remarkable calm, stating: “I am in no hurry with these things; they should get and take the time they need.” Thus, he aspires in his artistic development as in his interpretations to a lasting significance.  

In addition to the classical repertoire, Alexander regularly takes a stand for contemporary music. He has been responsible for about 30 premiere performances of solo and chamber music works.

Born in Göttingen in 1981, he studied with Wolfgang Manz and Bernd Glemser, and Cécile Ousset and Janina Fialkowska were important influences. Three solo CDs with works by Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin were published since 2009. In 2013  he received the ”Bavarian State Award for the Advancement of the Arts” in Munich.

Invitations with orchestras led him to perform in numerous German cities ( Gasteig München, Konzerthaus Berlin, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Kölner Philharmonie, NDR Hannover, Beethovenhaus Bonn, Heidelberger Frühling, Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele) as well as Carnegie Hall, Auditorium du Louvre and Salle Cortot , Konzerthaus Vienna, the Marinskij Concert Hall in St. Petersburg, and the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid. Radio recordings were made for, BR, NDR, SWR, ORF, Radio France, BBC and more. His collaboration with symphony orchestras took him from Europe to the USA, to China, Taiwan, Vietnam and South America.

 As chamber musician, he collaborated with violinists Christian Tetzlaff and Antje Weithaas, Nils Mönkemeyer, cellist Julian Steckel, baritone Thomas E. Bauer and the Armida Quartett, among many others.

In 2016 he was appointed professor for piano at the HMTM Hannover (Germany).