Kristian Bezuidenhout
Fortepiano
Kristian Bezuidenhout was born in South Africa, grew up and began his piano studies in Australia, continued his education in New York, and currently lives in London. He studied piano with Rebecca Penneys, fortepiano with Malcolm Bilson, harpsichord with Arthur Haas, and basso continuo with Paul O’Dette. In 2001, he won both the first prize and the audience prize at the Bruges Fortepiano Competition.
He is a regular guest soloist with ensembles such as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Les Arts Florissants, the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. He has guest directed – from the keyboard – the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Collegium Vocale (Ghent), Tafelmusik, the Dunedin Consort, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra, among others. Kristian Bezuidenhout has been a part of the artistic direction of the Freiburger Barockorchester since the 2017/2018 season and is the principal guest conductor of The English Concert.