Michael Dussek:Biography

Michael Dussek is recognised as a pianist of musical integrity and versatility. Described by BBC Music Magazine as “An outstanding artist” and by Classic FM Magazine as a “hugely respected pianist” he has, for more than four decades, pursued a successful international career as chamber musician, soloist and song collaborator.

For twenty years Michael was the regular pianist of Canadian cellist Ofra Harnoy, performing hundreds of recitals throughout the world; and since 2001 he has collaborated with violinist Ryu Goto, undertaking five major recital tours of Japan and giving three recitals in New York’s Carnegie (Zankel) Hall; Their recital, Live From Suntory Hall 2006, featuring works by Strauss, Brahms and Ravel, was released on CD and DVD by Deutsche Grammophon. Other recordings include works by Beethoven, Franck, Prokofiev and Saint-Saens. Further memorable collaborations have been with violinists Leoš Čepický, Ning Feng, Cho-Liang Lin, Anne Akiko Meyers, Kurt Nikkanen, Xue Wei and Antje Weithaas; cellists Alexander Baillie, Gemma Rosefield and Markus Stocker; oboists Douglas Boyd and Sarah Francis; and singers Sophie Bevan, Charles Daniels, Bernarda Fink, Stephan Loges, Ian Partridge, Ashley Riches, Jean Rigby, Vassily Savenko, Roman Trekel and Roderick Williams.

Since 1981 he has been a member of Endymion Ensemble, collaborating with many of the major composers of the late 20th century, and performing chamber music recitals in the Wigmore Hall, Kings Place (including the opening concerts in 2008) and at major British Festivals. The ensemble’s numerous recordings have also included duo performances with colleagues, violinist Krysia Osostowicz, cellist Jane Salmon, flautist Helen Keen, oboist Melinda Maxwell, clarinettist Mark van de Wiel and horn player Stephen Stirling.

In 1988, with his wife, cellist Margaret Powell and violinist Peter Tanfield (succeeded in 1996 by Gonzalo Acosta), Michael formed the Dussek Piano Trio, broadcasting for BBC Radio 3 and recording works by Arensky, Brahms, Bridge, Haydn and Hurlstone. Other chamber music collaborations have been as a member of Primavera and Zoffany Ensemble; with the New London Chamber Ensemble; and with the Bridge, Castalian, Chilingirian, Coull, Dante and Wihan string quartets.

Michael’s solo recordings include the first three York Bowen Piano Concertos with the BBC Concert Orchestra under Vernon Handley – the first concerto was selected for Fanfare Magazine’s Hall of Fame - and highly praised discs of solo piano repertoire by Britten, Rubbra and Clifford Benson. His recent recordings on Somm label, Romantic Revolution, demonstrate the significant influence of the pianist and composer Jan Ladislav Dussek on Chopin. Volume 2 was selected as Drive Discovery Album of the Week on Classic FM.

Michael is highly regarded as a teacher and is currently Geoffrey Parsons Professor of Ensemble Piano at the Royal Academy of Music, having previously been, for many years, Head of Piano Accompaniment. His former students are at the forefront of the profession as song collaborators, chamber musicians, soloists, conductors, répétiteurs, teachers and festival directors. He has given Masterclasses at the Britten Pears School in Aldeburgh, the Oxford Lieder Festival, the Royal College of Music, the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Purcell School and for the Tunnell Trust; also in Beijing, Berlin, Hannover, St Petersburg, Weimar and Zhuhai. Whilst still a student at the Royal Academy of Music Michael was the official pianist for Masterclasses given in Aldeburgh by Jacqueline du Pré and William Pleeth. Other legendary musicians with whom he collaborated include Pierre Fournier, Bruno Giuranna, Karl Leister and Sándor Végh. He was official pianist for the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition, The Yehudi Menuhin Competition, the China International Violin Competition and the Benson and Hedges Gold Award singing competition.

He was honoured to collaborate with Prunella Scales and Ian Partridge for the final performances of An Evening with Queen Victoria, in the UK and USA, and he is the pianist in Jonny Greenwood’s Grammy-nominated Soundtrack to the movie “There Will Be Blood”.

Michael is indebted to his teachers, Hugo Langrish, Alexander Kelly, Greville Rothon, Geoffrey Parsons, Rex Stephens and John Streets. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and a Professor of the University of London. © 2024 Michael Dussek