Martha Argerich invited which 12 year old French pianist to perform at the Pacific Music Festival in Japan marking the beginning of his career?
François-Xavier Poizat François-Xavier Poizat is a French pianist. Born 18 August 1989 in Grenoble with Swiss, French and Chinese origins, Poizat grew up with the learning from the Russian masters Alexeï Golovine and Evgeni Koroliov, as well as the Argentinian pianists Nelson Goerner and Martha Argerich. It is Martha Argerich who propelled him on the international stage by inviting him when he was 12 years old to the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, recognizing his ‘’deep lyricism and remarkable virtuosity’’. This marked the beginning of a career that has brought him to perform in already 22 countries in Europe and Asia. He currently lives in New York City and studies at The Juilliard School with Matti Raekallio.
Alain Planès Alain Planès (Lyon, 20 January 1948) is a French classical pianist. He studied at Lyon, then in Paris with Jacques Février and was soloist of the Ensemble intercontemporain of Pierre Boulez till 1981. His recording of Préludes (Debussy) was voted classical record of the year at the Victoires de la musique classique in 1986.