Ivan Ilić (pianist)

Early life

Ilić was born in Belgrade, in the Yugoslavian Socialist Republic of Serbia (now Serbia). He attended the University of California, Berkeley in the U.S. where he took degrees in mathematics and music. Ilić also briefly studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music before pursuing graduate studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, earning a Premier Prix, and finally at the École Normale de Musique de Paris. His teachers in France included François-René Duchâble, Christian Ivaldi, and Jacques Rouvier.

Career

Performing primarily as a soloist, Ilić is known for his interpretations of French music, in particular the works of Claude Debussy. His recording of Debussy's 24 Préludes was released in October 2008 on the French record label Paraty and won Mezzo TV's Critics' Choice Award in France. The disc was also singled out as a Top Five CD of the year by a critic at Fanfare Magazine and a Top Five CD of the Month by the French website Classique News. Ilić rearranged the order of the Préludes on the album, a controversial choice which he defended in several interviews.

Ilić's next album was dedicated to the left-hand Studies on Chopin's Études by Leopold Godowsky. The disc was the Classical CD of the Week of The Daily Telegraph, a Top 5 CD of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Figaro, and a Top 5 CD of Classique News. The CD was broadcast extensively in Europe and attracted widespread attention from the specialized press. Videos of Ilić performing Godowsky's Chopin Studies on YouTube have attracted hundreds of thousands of views.

Ilić has chosen to concentrate on solo repertoire. He has recorded works by JS Bach, Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Godowsky, Debussy, Ravel, and Lucien Durosoir. He frequently includes contemporary music in his recitals. John Metcalf, Keeril Makan, and Dmitri Tymoczko are among a growing number of composers who have written him new works. His next recording will be of solo works by Morton Feldman.

Ilić has performed at Carnegie Hall, An Lanntair, Weill Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall, Glenn Gould Studio, and Ireland's National Concert Hall.

Beginning in June 2011, many of Ilić's recordings have become available on the IMSLP website.

Discography

Acting, writing

In 2010 Ilić made his acting debut in Luc Plissonneau's short film, Izak's Choice (Les Mains in French), in the lead role of Izak.

In 2011 he played the role of Glenn Gould in a short film by Benoît Maire, The Shepherd, alongside renowned actor Lou Castel.

He has written about music for The Washington Times website.