Marc-André Hamelin’s startlingly original blend of musicianship and virtuosity has earned him legendary status as a true avatar of the piano. Long known for his matchless exploration of unfamiliar pianistic terrain, Hamelin is now recognized worldwide for the originality and technical brilliance of his performances of the classic repertoire. He has appeared as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Montréal Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra, and appears regularly in recital in the major piano series at Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, and throughout Australia, East Asia and his native Canada. Writing in The New Yorker, senior critic Alex Ross pronounced: ‘Hamelin’s legend will grow—right now there is no one like him.’

He has recorded some sixty albums for Hyperion, ranging from the neglected masterpieces of Alkan, Ives, Medtner and Godowsky to brilliantly received interpretations of Schumann, Brahms, Chopin and Debussy. Noted as a composer-pianist, Hamelin released a long-awaited recording of his own Études in all the minor keys under Hyperion. His composition Toccata on ‘L’homme armé’ was commissioned by the Van Cliburn Foundation as the required work for all contestants in the 2017 Competition. His works are published by Edition Peters.

In recognition of his remarkable discography, Hamelin was inducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame in 2015. He has also received the lifetime achievement prize of the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. An Officer of the Order of Canada since 2003 and a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Québec since 2004, Hamelin is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada. Born in Montréal, he makes his home in Boston with his wife, Cathy Fuller.