Irakly Avaliani

The pianist Irakly Avaliani was born in Tbilissi, Georgia, (republic in the former U.S.S.R).He began his musical education under Madame Tcherniavskaya at the Tbilissi College of Music and gave his first concert at the age of nine.He continued his studies at the Tchaikowsky National Conservatory in Moscow, where he received the highest honours.In 1974, he was given a state diploma, which allowed him to perform both in the USSR and abroad.This prestigious diploma also permitted him to teach in any soviet conservatory or college.Avaliani began his career at a time when the political situation in Russia made it very difficult for soviet artists to express themselves freely and he was never authorised to leave the USSR.In light of this, he decided to return to Georgia to perfect his style under the tuition of Ethery Djakeli, an alumnus of the Paris and Brussels Conservatories and former pupil of Eduardo Del Pueyo.For the next five years, Avaliani worked on the Marie Jaëll method with Madame Djakeli, completely transforming his piano technique.
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Avaliani is amongst a handful of privileged pianists to have followed the Jaëll Method, continuing in the tradition of Albert Schweitzer, Eduardo Del Pueyo and Dinu Lipatti.
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Avaliani has been living in Paris since 1989 and gives numerous concerts around the world.He teaches and directs master-classes.He is a member of the "Florilege Trio".

"Irakly Avaliani is a formidable virtuoso whose deep feelings are revealed with subtlety and spontaneity."ART ET CULTURE.BRUXELLES

"Irakly Avaliani knows remarkably well just how to play the piano.Schumann's "Evening", "Why?", and "In the night."in his hands take on a contemplative tone like some distant song.The pianist from Georgia succeeds marvellously through his clear silver touch in giving an interior life to the Brahms Intermezzi Op.118 and Scriabine's 4th Sonata."BERLINER ZEITUNG.BERLIN

"Reserved yet charming, this artist knows not to ask more from the score that is really there, and never overloads the expression.Irakly Avaliani might been less instantly accessible to some ears, but his very subtle interpretation reveals new riches at each hearing."DIAPASON.PARIS

"Inside a darkened church the pianist Irakly Avaliani plays beautifully, transforming the space into a sanctuary from the world outside." THE SCOTSMAN.EDINBURGH

"What is most fascinating is the freedom at his disposal, as stunning in effortless resource of power as in the clarity of the most complex movements.Irakly Avaliani also strongly recalls the spirit of Marie Jaëll in his physical presence, his simplicity and his sensitivity attuned to the world around him" PIANO.PARIS
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Here the pianist Irakly Avaliani shows an incomprehensible misunderstanding not only of the Brahms style but also of pure and simple musicality, with his illogical rubatos and chaotic phrasing, which impose on the dreamy recollections of the ageing Brahms a wild character that is utterly inappropriate."
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"Irakly Avaliani possesses that reserved passion which is the mark of the true Brahms interpreter, as he proved in his playing of three of the Intermezzi Op.118."REPERTOIRE.PARIS

"The outstanding attainments of the Russian and French schools combine together in the unique artistry of Irakly Avaliani."INTERNATIONAL SALON OF MUSIC.MOSCOW