MurrayPerahia KBE

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Murray Perahia has become one of the most sought-after and cherished pianists of our time. Born in New York, Murray started playing piano at the age of four, and later attended Mannes College where he studied conducting and composition. His summers were spent at the Marlboro Festival, collaborating with such musicians as Rudolf Serkin, Pablo Casals and the members of the Budapest String Quartet. He also studied during this period with Mieczyslaw Horszowski.

In 1972 Murray won the Leeds International Piano Competition, which led to solo recital engagements throughout Europe. In 1973 he gave his first concert at the Aldeburgh Festival, where he worked closely with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, accompanying the latter in many lieder recitals. He was Co-Artistic Director of the Festival from 1981 to 1989.

He has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields since 2000 and regularly tours with them as both conductor and pianist.

Murray has recorded an extensive discography and in October 2016 released a highly anticipated recording of Bach's French Suites, his first album on the Deutsche Grammophon label.

In 2004 Murray was awarded an honorary KBE in recognition of his outstanding service to music.