Nikolai Lugansky (Николай Луганский) is a Russian pianist, born on April 26th, 1972 in Moscow. He is considered to be one of the best classical pianists and has performed with the likes of Vadim Repin, Alexander Kniazev, Joshua Bell, Yuri Bashmet and Mischa Maisky, among others. As well as performing and recording, Lugansky teaches at the Moscow Conservatory.
Ivo Pogorelić (Serbian: Иво Погорелић) (born October 20, 1958 in Belgrade, Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia) is a Croatian pianist. He received his first piano lessons in Belgrade when he was seven. Five years later, he was invited to Moscow to continue his studies at the Central Music School with Evgeny Timakin. Later he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. In 1976 he began studying intensively with the pianist and teacher Aliza Kezeradze, who passed on to him the tradition of the Liszt-Siloti school. They were married from 1980 until her death in 1996.
Masaaki Suzuki is an organist, harpsichordist and conductor, and the founder and musical director of the Bach Collegium Japan. He was born in Kobe to parents who were both Christian and amateur musicians. He studied composition and organ at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and was later taught harpsichord and organ by Ton Koopman and Piet Kee at the Sweelink Conservatory in Holland. In 1993 he began teaching at Kobe University, and founded the Bach Collegium in 1990. The group began giving concerts regularly in 1992, and made its first recordings three years later.
Daniel Barenboim, KBE (born 15 November 1942) is an Argentine-born pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings. Currently, he is general music director of La Scala in Milan, the Berlin State Opera, and the Staatskapelle Berlin; he previously served as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre de Paris.
Janine Jansen (Utrecht, 1978) is a Dutch solo violinist. Janine Jansen is internationally recognised as one of the great violinists and a truly exciting and versatile artist. Her London debut in November 2002, with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy, was quickly followed by invitations from some of the world
Jazziz praised Brazilian guitarist Badi Assad (pronounced Bah-Jee Ah-Sahje) as "a virtuoso of the highest order" while Guitar Player pegged her as "fearless!" Wonderland, her second for Deutsche Grammophone is not only an album fantasy and hope; it is also a plea for some sanity in this insane world of ours. The CD touches on many taboo topics including rape, prejudice, child prostitution and loss of cultural identity.
Sol Gabetta
Violoncello “Her presence on stage is powerfully intoxicating; with her instrument she seems to be deeply bonded.” Neue Zürcher Zeitung, January 2004 Born of Russian-French parents in Cordoba, Argentina in 1981 the charismatic cellist Sol Gabetta is forging an impressive career; she has a recording contract with Sony, is the Director of her own festival, and has invitations all over the world, following on from winning some major awards.