David Fray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Fray
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Fray in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Born | 24 May 1981 Tarbes, France |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Warner/Erato Classics |
David Fray (born May 24, 1981) is a talented French classical pianist. He became well-known for his unique way of playing the piano and his interesting personality during performances. In 2008, he was even named "Newcomer of the Year" by BBC Music Magazine. A documentary called Swing, Sting and Think was made about him in 2008, showing his special style.
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About David Fray
David Fray was born in Tarbes, a town near the Pyrenees mountains in France. His parents were both teachers; his father taught philosophy and his mother taught German.
How David Fray Started His Career
David Fray began his professional music journey after winning the Second Grand Prize at the Montreal International Music Competition in 2004. This award helped him become known in the classical music world.
After this success, he released his first CD, "Schubert, Liszt." This album featured music by two famous composers, Schubert and Liszt. He also made video recordings of piano concertos by J.S. Bach with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen orchestra. In 2008, he released another CD called "Bach / Boulez Piano Recital," which combined music from different time periods.
David Fray has performed with many famous conductors, including John Axelrod, Kurt Masur, Jaap van Zweden, and Christoph Eschenbach.
Awards and Recognition
David Fray has received several important awards for his musical talent. These include:
- The "Révélation Classique" (Classical Discovery) award from ADAMI.
- The "Jeune Soliste de l'Année" (Young Soloist of the Year) award from a group of French-speaking public radio stations.
- A special Diploma for Outstanding Merit from the Hamamatsu Competition.
David Fray's Personal Life
In July 2007, David Fray married actress Chiara Muti. She is the daughter of the famous conductor Riccardo Muti. David and Chiara have a daughter together.
David Fray's Playing Style
David Fray is known for his love of Bach's music. In the ARTE documentary, he showed his playful side, often moving his eyebrows, leaning over the piano, and even humming along with the orchestra. These actions led some people to compare him to another famous pianist, Glenn Gould.
However, David Fray's playing style is quite different from Gould's. Fray's music flows smoothly, while Gould's was often very clear and sharp. David Fray has said that he is "not such a fan of Glenn Gould." He finds inspiration in pianist Wilhelm Kempff, saying, "What I love about his playing is that he makes the piano sing and speak. That is my ultimate goal.”
David Fray's Recordings
David Fray has released many recordings throughout his career. Here are some of his albums:
- Schubert: Fantasia in C Major / David Fray (Atma 2005)
- Bach: Partita in D major; French Suite BWV 812 in B minor / Boulez: Douze Notations pour piano; "Incises" / David Fray (Virgin Classics 2007)
- Bach: Keyboard Concertos BWV 1052, 1055, 1056 & 1058 / David Fray, Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen (Virgin Classics 2008)
- Swing, Sing & Think. David Fray Records J.S. Bach / A film by Bruno Monsaingeon (Virgin Classics DVD 2008)
- Schubert: Impromptus Op.90, Moments Musicaux, Allegretto in C minor / David Fray (Virgin Classics 2009)
- Mozart: Piano Concertos 22 & 25 / David Fray, Philharmonia Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden (Virgin Classics 2010)
- David Fray Records Mozart – Piano Concertos Nos.22 & 25 / A film by Bruno Monsaingeon (Virgin Classics DVD 2011)
- Bach: Partitas Nos. 2 & 6, Toccata BWV 911 / David Fray (Virgin Classics 2013)
- Schubert: Sonata in G D894 ‘Fantasie’, the Hungarian Melody D817, the Fantasia in F minor D940, and the towering Allegro in A minor D947, ‘Lebensstürme’ (‘Storms of Life’) / David Fray, duets with Jacques Rouvier (Virgin Classics 2015)
- Chopin: / David Fray (Erato/Warner Classics 2017)
- Bach: Concertos for 2, 3 & 4 pianos / David Fray (Erato/Warner Classics 2018)
- Bach: Sonatas / Renaud Capucon, David Fray / Erato/Warner Classics 2019)
- Bach: Goldberg Variations (Erato/Warner Classics 2021)
See also
In Spanish: David Fray para niños
