Canadian pianist Louis Lortie

Canadian pianist Louis Lortie, known for the sensitivity and fresh insights he brings to the keyboard literature, here takes viewers on a marvelous journey of multidimensional discovery: a discovery of music, of water, of a very special make of piano and, inevitably, of the wonders of Venice itself.

Louis Lortie, OC, CQ (born 27 April 1959) is a French-Canadian pianist. He currently lives in Berlin.

He is known for his interpretation of Ravel, Chopin and Beethoven. He is an international soloist, and has made over 30 recordings on the Chandos label.

Born in Montreal, Louis Lortie made his debut with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at the age of thirteen and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra three years later. Soon after he performed an historic tour of the People’s Republic of China and Japan.

He won First Prize in the Busoni Competition in 1984. He was also a prize-winner at the Leeds Competition. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec as well as an honorary doctorate from Université Laval. He also teaches at Italy’s renowned piano institute at Imola.