Biography
Harpsichordist Pierre Hantaï maintains a close connection to the keyboard repertoire of J.S. Bach and Domenico Scarlatti while maintaining an active role in chamber groups and as a collaborative performer. Born in Paris on February 28, 1964, he first encountered the instrument after hearing Gustave Leonhardt interpret Bach, prompting him to begin practicing at home and later pursue formal lessons with Arthur Haas starting at age 12. He subsequently spent two years studying with Leonhardt himself in Amsterdam. His breakthrough arrived in 1983 when he captured first prize at the International Bach-Handel Competition in Bruges, Belgium, an achievement followed by numerous additional distinctions throughout his career. Hantaï concentrates on Baroque keyboard literature, particularly the works of Bach and Scarlatti. His debut recording of the Goldberg Variations appeared in 1993 to widespread praise; he has since presented the piece in concert more than one hundred times and issued a second recording in 2002. That same year marked the start of his ongoing series of Scarlatti keyboard sonata recordings. Although primarily recognized as a soloist, Hantaï has participated regularly in ensemble settings. Together with his brothers Marc, a Baroque flutist, and Jérôme, a viola da gamba player, he established Le Concert Français in 1983 and leads the ensemble from the harpsichord. Additional collaborations include appearances with La Petite Bande under Sigiswald Kuijken and Le Concert des Nations under Jordi Savall. He has also served as accompanist for artists such as Emmanuel Balssa and François Fernandez in both live performances and recorded projects. While his principal recording affiliation has been with the Mirare label, he has contributed discs to Opus 111, Naïve, and other imprints. The sixth volume of his Scarlatti sonata series on Mirare appeared in 2019.