International Tchaikovsky Competition, Moscow, 2011: Gold Medal and Grand Prix
Arthur Rubinstein Competition, Tel Aviv, 2011: First Prize
International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, Warsaw, 2010: Bronze Medal and Special Award

Born in Nizhniy Novgorod in 1991, Daniil Trifonov is emerging as one of the brightest new names of the next generation of pianists. During the 2010/11 season he won medals at three of the most prestigious competitions in the music world: the Chopin Competition in Warsaw (Bronze Medal), the Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv (First Prize) and the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (Gold Medal). During these performances he impressed jury members and observers such as Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Van Cliburn, Nelson Freire, Yefim Bronfman and Valery Gergiev. Gergiev personally awarded Trifonov the 'Grand Prix' in Moscow, an additional award given to the best overall competitor in any of that Competition's categories.

Following these accolades, Trifonov has been invited to perform by many major promoters worldwide during the 2011/12 season. Highlights include debuts with the Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony and Mariinsky Orchestra with Gergiev, Israel Philharmonic with Mehta, Russian National Orchestra with Pletnev. He also gives performances at the Salle Pleyel Paris, Carnegie Hall New York, Suntory Hall Tokyo, Wigmore Hall London, Musikverein Vienna; and venues across Europe, North and South America, Middle and Far East. In summer 2012 Trifonov will perform at festivals including Verbier, Montreux, Tivoli, Kremerata Festival, Lockenhaus, Grafenegg, La Roque d'Anthéron, Klavier Festival Ruhr, as well as Blossom Festival and Chautauqua Festival in the USA.

Future engagements include New York Philharmonic with Alan Gilbert, Chicago Symphony with Charles Dutoit, San Francisco Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as recitals at Lucerne Piano Festival, London Queen Elizabeth Hall, Paris Auditorium du Louvre, Zurich Tonhalle, Washington Kennedy Center, New York Carnegie Hall (Stern auditorium), Berlin Philharmonie and Amsterdam Concertgebouw.

Daniil Trifonov began his musical studies at the age of five. He studied at Moscow Gnesin School of Music in the class of Tatiana Zelikman (2000-2009), teacher of such artists as Konstantin Lifschitz, Alexander Kobrin and Alexei Volodin. From 2006 to 2009 he also studied composition and has continued to write piano, chamber and orchestral music since then. Since 2009, he has studied piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the class of Sergei Babayan.

In 2008, at the age of 17, Trifonov was awarded at the 4th International Scriabin Competition (2008, Moscow) and triumphed at 3rd International Piano Competition of San Marino Republic (1st Prize and Special Prize “Republic of San Marino 2008”). He was also prize winner of the Moscow Open Artobolevskaya Competition for Young Pianists (First Prize, Moscow, 1999), International Competition Memory of Mendelssohn (First Prize, Moscow, 2003), International Television Competition for Young Musicians (Grand Prize, Moscow, 2003), the Chamber Ensembles Festival “The Return” (Moscow, 2005, 2007), the Romantic Music Festival for Young Musicians (Moscow, 2006), the 5th International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists (2006, Beijing). He received a Guzik Foundation Career Grant in 2009, and toured the USA and Italy as a consequence of this.

Daniil Trifonov’s first CD was released on Decca in 2011, featuring a selection of Chopin solo piano works. He has also made a number of television recordings in Russia, the USA and Italy.

Daniil Trifonov is represented by Intermusica, mail@intermusica.co.uk
January 2012 / 581 words. Not to be altered without permission. Please destroy all previous biographical material.

“The 20-year-old Daniil Trifonov, fresh from his victory at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, showed astonishing skills in works by Scriabin, Chopin and Liszt... this young man is a formidable virtuoso.”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, August 2011

"His performance was fundamentally reserved and inward, but with abundant colour and imaginative, subtle effects. This was playing rich in insight and intensity."
Vancouver Sun, May 2011

"...the extremely talented and sensitive Daniil Trifonov."
The Warsaw Voice, October 2010

Israel Philharmonic / Zubin Mehta / Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
“The showers of notes sparkle like stars in the desert night. A wonderful performance.”
Norman Lebrecht, blog on Artsjournal.com, January 2012

Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre / Valery Gergiev / Carnegie Hall / Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1
“As soon as he lunged into the opening chords of the Tchaikovsky it was apparent that he had taken control. Although slight of stature he obtained a rich, full sound from the piano without banging or forcing, even in the octave passage of the first movement which he executed at blazing speed. This was a young man's performance, full of energy and drive, but never did one get the impression that Trifonov was simply aiming for effect. He almost became one with the piano, treating it as an extension of himself to project a highly personal vision of the piece. Pushing the tempo here, lingering lovingly there, he nevertheless made everything sound natural and refreshing.

Technique is simply not an issue for Trifonov, and he knows how to apply this freedom in the service of the music. In his two encores – Chopin's Grand Valse brilliante and Liszt's La campanella – the word "storyteller" kept coming to mind. Crouching in front of the piano, Trifonov knows how to get inside a piece and make it come to life. The Chopin was full of tasteful nuances and literally danced, while the Liszt showed off Trifonov's incredible passagework and control of structure.”
Classicalsource.com, October 2011

Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre / Valery Gergiev / George Mason University’s Centre for the Arts / Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1
“Toward the end of the first movement, Trifonov played with such intensity that it seemed as if this moment was the greatest or most powerful thing that one could possibly experience... This is a major artist in the making.”
Washington Post, October 2011

“Trifonov, a young soloist who is destined for fame.”
Washington Examiner, October 2011

London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev / Barbican / Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1
“Here is a performer who already knows a huge amount not just about technique, but performance itself. Dispatching the Piano Concerto No.1, what was most noticeable about this fizzing display was showmanship without ostentatious theatrics, and a generous willingness, particularly in the balletic second movement, to let Gergiev and the by now fully fired-up London Symphony players to take the lead where the music required it. But he had the spotlight all to himself for Liszt’s Campanella, an encore delivered with delicate panache.”
Neil Fisher, The Times, September 2011

“Daniil Trifonov, 20, winner of the 2011 piano prize, possesses almost boundless potential... The charismatic young Russian tore into the Tchaikovsky first piano concerto with exhilarating confidence and formidable technique. Let's hope he goes on to the great things of which he is clearly capable.”
Martin Kettle, Guardian, September 2011

“The way Daniil Trifonov played, you’d say he was a mature master, rather than a mere 20-year-old. Power in spades, crystalline passage-work, and a pearlised singing tone: he’s already got it all, and his encore – Liszt’s La Campanella – had both flawless delicacy, and an engaging modesty.”
5 stars
Michael Church, Independent, September 2011

“Trifonov’s Tchaikovsky first piano concerto more than matched expectations. He gave the opening salvo a spring in the step that immediately banished the “warhorse” tag, before uncovering a multitude of voices in the first movement cadenza... Trifonov is more than capable of the bewitching virtuosity this concerto invites, as his finale amply demonstrated...”
Andrew Clark, Financial Times, September 2011

“Trifonov’s fingers are remarkably fleet, the notes unfailingly clear even at the motorway speeds... Trifonov was in many ways sensational, in love with the piano and everything he can do with it... Make no mistake, Daniil Trifonov is one hell of a talent.”
Classicalsource.com, September 2011

These are featured projects related to Daniil Trifonov:

Musical America feature
  Of Piano Competitions and Trompolines By Donald Rosenberg MusicalAmerica.com 'Artist of the Month' 1 August 2011 CLEVELAND – Sergei Babayan can hardly contain his wonderment when talking about Daniil Trifonov, who is (hands down) his prize piano student at the Cleveland Institute of Music. “He’s a child still,” says the Armenian-born Babayan. “I don’t think he realizes what kind of lottery ticket he won by winning these competitions....