2017 CMF Residency
St Pancras Clock Tower concert
Romanian national
UK resident
Mihai Ritivoiu is a Romanian pianist based in London. He is a prize-winner in several international competitions, most notably the George Enescu International Competition. He has performed in Romania, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, France, Germany and Japan, and has appeared as soloist with the George Enescu Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and MDR Leipzig.
Mihai began learning piano at the age of 6 and continued studying in Romania and later in London, at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, with Professor Joan Havill. He took part in masterclasses with Dominique Merlet, Richard Goode and Emmanuel Ax, and has benefited from the advice and guidance of the Romanian pianist and composer Valentin Gheorghiu.
…beautifully recorded, handsomely played – a solo recital to cherish – The Arts Desk on Mihai’s debut album
Mihai won the Dinu Lipatti National Competition in 2010 and was a laureate of the George Enescu Competition 2011. He has also obtained prizes in international competitions in Tunbridge Wells, 2014, Valence, 2015 and Citta di Cantu, 2019. Mihai has played in Japan and has been engaged throughout Europe to perform concertos with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra and MDR Leipzig.
His performances have been recorded and broadcast by Radio Romania Muzical, Radio Télévision Suisse – Espace 2 and Medici TV, and he was a guest on BBC Radio 3’s programme In Tune. His debut CD, containing solo works by Franck, Enescu and Liszt, released on the Genuin label, has been described by The Arts Desk as “beautifully recorded, handsomely played – a solo recital to cherish”.
In addition to his solo recitals and concerto appearances, Mihai has a rich chamber music activity, most notably as duo partner of the cellist Yoanna Prodanova. Their duo has performed in the United Kingdom, France and The Netherlands, and they have been invited to festivals such as Les Rencontres de Violoncelle de Bélaye, Orkney International Festival and Buxton International Festival.
Mihai is a City Music Foundation artist and a Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
