Cliburn Concerts: Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello + Alexander Melnikov, piano

“Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov convince with their mastery, their formal perfection and the contrast they establish between the two instruments… Sparkling or muffled, the shimmering of the keyboard responds to the Olympian tranquility of the cello, which progresses in these often-agitated pages like a ship accustomed to facing storms.”
— Diapason Magazine

Curiosity, diversity, and complete dedication to the music define the work of French-Canadian cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras. His approach to music focuses on the principle that composer, performer, and audience must share the same inner motivation to achieve a moving, clear concert experience. This philosophy, alongside a flawless technique and a clear, engaging tone, has formed a foundation for a flourishing, decades-long career: regular performances with renowned orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, London Symphony Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester, and Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich; an impressive 27 recordings in as many years; and artist-in-residence appointments at Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Vredenburg Utrecht, De Bijloke Ghent, and Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg.

Pianist Alexander Melnikov’s “fine, highly musical phrasing, his brilliant touch and his desire to interact with the musicians as closely as possible” has led to an extraordinary career as a soloist with orchestras such as Philadelphia, NDR Elbphilharmonie, HR-Sinfonieorchester, Munich Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and BBC Philharmonic, as well as intensive chamber music collaborations. As a solo artist, his last season saw recitals at Berliner Philharmonie, Toppan Hall in Tokyo, Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw, and Munich’s Prinzregententheater. And his recording of Preludes and Fugues by Shostakovich was awarded the BBC Music Magazine Award, Choc de classica, and the Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, and was also named one of the “50 Greatest Recordings of All Time” by BBC Music Magazine.

Both of these world-renowned artists make their Cliburn Concerts debut next April.