Kristian Bezuidenhout
Born in South Africa in 1979, Kristian Bezuidenhout began his studies in Australia,
completed them at the Eastman School of Music, and now lives in London. After initial
studies as a modern pianist with Rebecca Penneys, he explored early keyboards, studying
harpsichord with Arthur Haas, fortepiano with Malcolm Bilson, and continuo playing and
performance practice with Paul O'Dette. During this time, he gained considerable experience
as a continuo player in Baroque opera productions in the US and Europe. Mr. Bezuidenhout
first gained international recognition at the age of 21, after winning the prestigious
first prize as well as the audience prize in the Bruges Fortepiano Competition.
Mr. Bezuidenhout is a frequent guest artist with the world's leading ensembles, including
the Freiburger Barockorchester, Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra, Concerto Köln, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and Collegium Vocale
Gent-in many instances assuming the role of guest director. He has performed
with celebrated artists that include Philippe Herreweghe, Frans Brüggen, Christopher
Hogwood, Pieter Wispelwey, Daniel Hope, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Isabelle Faust, Viktoria
Mullova, Carolyn Sampson, and Mark Padmore.
Mr. Bezuidenhout currently divides his time between concerto, recital, and chamber music
engagements, appearing in the early-music festivals of Barcelona, Boston, Bruges,
Innsbruck, St. Petersburg, Venice, and Utrecht, as well as the Saintes Festival, Festival
de la Roque d'Anthéron, Chopin Festival Warsaw, Musikfest Bremen, Tanglewood Festival, and
Mostly Mozart. In addition, he has performed at many of the world's most important concert
halls, including the Berlin and Cologne Philharmonies, Suntory Hall, Théâtre des
Champs-Élysées, Symphony Hall, Vienna's Konzerthaus, Wigmore Hall, and Carnegie Hall.
In 2006, Mr. Bezuidenhout was invited by Frans Brüggen and the Orchestra of the 18th
Century to perform the complete late piano concertos of Mozart; this was followed by a
weekend cycle of the Beethoven piano concertos at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Since 2009, Mr. Bezuidenhout has embarked on a long-term recording relationship with
Harmonia Mundi. Recordings include Mozart violin sonatas with Petra Müllejans, and volumes
1, 2, and 3 of the complete keyboard music of Mozart. Other projects include Mendelssohn
piano concertos with the Freiburger Barockorchester and Schumann's Dichterliebe
with Mark Padmore, both of which won Edison Awards.
Mr. Bezuidenhout's engagements in the 2012-2013 season include performances with the
Freiburger Barockorchester, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,
NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and Insula
Orchestra. He gives recitals throughout the UK, Europe, and in the US, and collaborates
with cellist Pieter Wispelwey and violinist Isabelle Faust in the Netherlands.