Simone Sgarbanti

Praised for his extraordinary versatility, Simone Sgarbanti's performances often include lesser-known works from the French 20th century, combined with pieces from the more canonical piano repertoire and improvisation. The resulting programs capture the audience's attention, allowing the listener to discover new works and rediscover more familiar pieces in a very intimate and sophisticated atmosphere.

Born in Reggio Emilia in 1995, he first approached music through the hymns of the Protestant church, becoming passionate about gospel music, jazz and improvisation and meanwhile continuing his classical studies at the Conservatory, graduating with top marks, honors and special distinction under the guidance of Alberto Arbizzi.  After moving to Vienna, he continued his studies with Jura Margulis and is currently a student of Avedis Kouyoumdjian at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, where he is majoring in piano and chamber music. At the same time, he studies with André Gallo at the Imola International Piano Academy. 

Over the years he has had the honor of deepening his repertoire by attending courses with internationally renowned musicians such as Andrei Gavrilov, Julius Berger, members of the Artis Quartet, Markus Schirmer, Henri Sigfridsson, Janoska Ensemble, Liliana Cosi and many others.  

He has already played for a number of prestigious seasons and festivals (Società Umanitaria, Accademia Filarmonica Romana, Polincontri Musica, Friday Night with Yury Revich, Schiermonnikoog Festival Jong Talent, Amadeus Festival...) both as a soloist and as a chamber musician alongside musicians such as Luca Franzetti, Yury Revich, Michele Papadia, Jnr Robinson…

In addition to numerous first prizes in international competitions (ISA Award 2021, A. Baldi Piano Prize, Scarlatti Competition, Giorgio and Aurora Giovannini Competition), he has also been awarded the Augusto del Rio Scholarship (Casa Musicale A. Del Rio) and the Stefano Diomede Prize (Società Dante Alighieri).

Since 2021 he has been teaching piano at the Amadeus Music and Arts Academy in Vienna and is engaged in a project that will lead him in the coming years to perform and record the entire catalogue of Maurice Ravel's piano works. 

Currently he is conducting intensive research on the music of Joseph Marx, whose works for cello and piano and violin and piano he will soon record together with Vida Vujic and Minna Pensola for the Naxos label.

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