Resident artist season 23-24
Simon Trpčeski has been praised not only for his powerful virtuosity and deeply expressive approach, but also for his charismatic stage presence. Launched onto the international scene twenty years ago as a BBC New-Generation Artist, in an incredibly fast-paced career unhindered by cultural or musical boundaries, Simon Trpčeski has collaborated with over a hundred orchestras on four continents and to perform on the most prestigious stages.
The long list of prominent conductors Simon Trpčeski has worked with includes Lorin Maazel, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Marin Alsop, Gustavo Dudamel, Cristian Măcelaru, Gianandrea Noseda, Vasily Petrenko, Charles Dutoit, Jakob Hrusa, Vladimir Jurowski, Susanna Malkki, Andris Nelsons, Antonio Pappano and Michael Tilson Thomas.
Simon Trpčeski’s fruitful collaborations with EMI Classics, Avie Records, Wigmore Hall Live, Onyx Classics, and currently Linn Records has resulted in a broad and award-winning discography which includes repertoire such as Rachmaninov’s complete works for piano and orchestra and Prokofiev piano concertos as well as composers such as Poulenc, Debussy, Ravel. Most recently, Variations, a solo album of works by Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart was released in the spring of 2022, followed by “Friendship”, a chamber music album released in April 2023. His recording of Brahms piano concertos with WDR Symphony Orchestra and Cristian Macelaru will be out in November 2023.
Born in Macedonia in 1979, Simon Trpčeski is a graduate of the School of Music at the University of St. Cyril and St. Methodius in Skopje, where he studied with Boris Romanov. Committed to strengthening the cultural image of his native country, his chamber music project MAKEDONISSIMO weaves into one unique sound world, the Macedonian folk music tradition with highly virtuoso, jazz-influenced riffs and harmonies. Since its successful premiere in 2018, Makedonissimo has performed to audiences world-wide and released an album on Linn Records.
In 2009, Simon Trpčeski received the Presidential Order of Merit for Macedonia and In 2011, he became the first-ever recipient of the title “National Artist of Macedonia”.He was BBC New Generation Artist 2001-2003 and in 2003, was honored with the Young Artist Award by the Royal Philharmonic Society.
DEAR SIMON, COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN A FEW WORDS?
A young man who likes to identify himself with “joie de vivre”. I don’t like to talk too much about myself and prefer to let others express themselves and comment. But I can say that I’m a person who passionately loves life. Naturally, my artistic inspiration comes from all forms of art: musical, literary and visual. But that’s not all! Other areas also have a great importance and influence in my life, such as sport or cooking, and of course, moments with my family and friends are just as precious.
WHAT ARE THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER?
Musically, there have been some key moments in my career. The first was learning the accordion, which I started at the age of 4. It was through this instrument that my parents introduced me to Macedonian folk music. Then came the discovery of the piano, under the tutelage of some of the great teachers of the Russian school. Later, competitions played an important role, first in the Czech Republic and then in Italy. But the turning point that launched my international career came in 2000, when I won the London International Piano Competition. This gave me the opportunity to meet agents and gradually develop my presence and experience all over the world, in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.
For me, every concert is equally important, whatever the city, the venue or the audience. Each concert is a unique moment that really counts, just as much as the recordings, interconnecting with the concerts. I give my whole soul to each of these moments.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR RESIDENCY WITH THE MONTE-CARLO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA?
It’s an honor to be artist-in-residence at the OPMC. My greatest wish is to bring great pleasure to the public and, above all, to see smiles light up the faces of the listeners who come to share the magic of the superb and particularly varied repertoire we’re going to offer. I would also like to thank Kazuki Yamada and Didier de Cottignies for their confidence, their open-mindedness and their ambition in their artistic choices, which combine musical richness with human emotion.
YOU’VE ALREADY PLAYED WITH THE OPMC: WHAT IS YOUR PERCEPTION OF IT AND WHAT ARE THE LINKS THAT UNITE YOU?
First of all, the same passion for music, but also faith in music and its positive impact on us all! In Monte-Carlo, I love the serene atmosphere, which I think helps us to find a certain freedom of expression. I think the fact that I come from Macedonia and that my culture is close to the Mediterranean helps us to connect, especially in music!
Grande Saison
OCTOBER 8, 2023
JANUARY 13, 2024
MARCH 3, 2024
Concerts at the Prince’s Palace
AUGUST 4, 2024
