Vincenzo Balzani (Italy)

He graduated with first class honours from “Verdi” Conservatory of music in Milan while studying with Alberto Mozzati. Aged 14 he won the La Spezia (E.N.A.L.) and the “Förster – Ricordi” national piano competitions. Two years later he was awarded the “Liszt” prize at “Maria Canals” competition in Barcelona. In 1971 he was top prize winner in many famous competitions as: “Pozzoli” in Seregno, “Città di Treviso”, “F. P. Neglia” in Enna and “G.B. Viotti” in Vercelli. In 1975 he successfully represented RAI at the Maurice Ravel competition in Paris organized to commemorate 100 years since the birth of the French composer.  As concert artist he has performed as recitalist, soloist with orchestra, member of chamber ensemble (from duet to septet) all over the world including the most prestigious Italian theatres and festivals (La Scala, San Carlo, Petruzzelli, Regio in Turin, Olimpico in Rome, Bergamo and Brescia Festival, Festival dei Due Mondi, Settembre Musica, etc.). He has recorded extensively for Radio and TV and has recorded several LPs and CDs including works by Scarlatti, Mozart, Hummel, Beethoven, Chopin (the complete etudes Op.10 and Op.25), Rossini – Liszt, Schubert – Liszt, etc. Since 1973 he has been teaching piano in music academies: he is currently Professor of piano at “Verdi” conservatory of music in Milan. He often serves as judge for many international competitions (“G.B. Viotti”, “Rina Sala Gallo”, “Pozzoli”, “London International Piano Competition”, “Concurso Internacional Compositores de España”, “Tchaikovsky junior” in Kurashiki, “Takamatsu”, “Parnassos” in Monterrey, “Hummel” in Bratislava, etc.) and also holds courses, master classes and lectures in Italy and abroad. In addition to his activities as pianist and teacher he is also artistic director of “Città di Cantù” and “Valsesia Musica”  international competitions and of “Pianotalents” in Milano,

“Pozzolino” in Seregno,“Monterosa – Kawai” juniores contests as well and “ Tadini International Music Competition” in Lovere for chamber music and piano. He has been nominated as artistic committee member of “Pozzoli” piano competition since 2010. Since 2009 he has also been artistic director of “Pianofriends” association which he founded in Milan to organize festivals, concerts, stages and seminars. He is President of the PianoIn Associaton a Milan.