Hortense Cartier-Bresson

Renowned for her profound musical insight and a remarkable sense of presence, Hortense Cartier-Bresson invites listeners into a world where every phrase breathes and every silence speaks. Her performances combine clarity of thought with a rare emotional resonance, offering audiences moments of genuine connection and beauty.

Trained from an early age at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, she met the legendary Hungarian pianist György Sebők in 1979, whose influence led her to continue her studies at Indiana University Bloomington. Only a few years later, she was hailed as “one of the most remarkable pianists of her generation,” winning Third Prize at the Liszt– Bartók Competition in Budapest in 1981.

Her career soon blossomed on the international stage. She has appeared in recital and as soloist with leading orchestras such as the Orchestre de Paris under Riccardo Chailly and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Antal Dorati.

A passionate and inspiring teacher, Cartier-Bresson is internationally acclaimed for her pedagogical excellence. Appointed Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) in 2011, she later joined the Universität der Künste Berlin (UDK) as Guest Professor. She shares her artistry in masterclasses throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States, and frequently serves on the juries of major international competitions.

Her discography reflects both depth and curiosity: Bartók (Accord/Universal), Chopin’s two Concertos in the chamber version (Maestria Records), and Brahms’s late piano works Op. 116–118 (Aparté Music, 2020) — all met with critical acclaim. Her 2022 album for Aparté unites Bach with the Second Viennese School (Berg, Schoenberg, Webern), a bold and illuminating dialogue across centuries.

A devoted chamber musician, she performs with Roger Muraro, Pierre Fouchenneret, Ayako Tanaka, Raphaël Oleg, François Salque, Xavier Gagnepain, Nicolas Baldeyrou, and the Quatuor Ébène.

Hortense Cartier-Bresson is the artistic director of the Festival Musique à la Prée, in France.