Bertrand Chamayou, described by Gramophone as a “young French pianist of an impeccable pedigree”, is already firmly established as one of the most thoughtful and fascinating pianists of his generation. He has chosen Schubert - with the Wanderer-Fantaisie as the centrepiece - for his first release as an ERATO artist, and, in the course of 2014, the composer’s works will also feature in Chamayou’s recitals in Germany, Belgium, the US (New York), France and Austria.

Born in Toulouse, and a graduate of the Paris Conservatoire, Chamayou had ambitions to be a composer before the piano became his musical priority, and his questing and creative spirit is reflected in a diverse and eclectic repertoire that defies simple categorisation: he has built his reputation with the music of, among others, Liszt, Franck, Messiaen and contemporary composers. It is perhaps not surprising that he drew the attention of Pierre Boulez, a similarly unclassifiable musician, who has conducted Chamayou in concerto performances on a number of occasions.

France’s leading music awards, Les Victoires de la Musique, have traced the trajectory of Chamayou’s career: in 2006 he was named as the year’s ‘Révélation’ (outstanding young talent), while 2011 brought him the prize for Solo Instrumentalist and 2012 for Best Recording.

In the concert hall, conductors with whom he has collaborated include Semyon Bychkov, Andris Nelsons, Leonard Slatkin, Neville Marriner, Michel Plasson, Stéphane Denève and Jérémie Rhorer, while among his chamber music partners are fellow ERATO artists Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon and Quatuor Ebène.

Track listing:

Liszt:

Auf dem Wasser zu singen, S558 No. 2 (from Schubert D774)

Litanei - Andante Religioso (No. 1 from Vier Geistliche Lieder, S562, after Schubert)

Der Müller und der Bach (No. 2 from Müllerlieder von Franz Schubert, S565)

Schubert:

Fantasie in C major, D760 ‘Wanderer’

Ländler (12) D790

Allegretto in C minor, D915

Ländler (17), D366: No. 12

Klavierstücke (3), D946

Kupelwieser-Walzer D I