Paul Stewart (pianist)

Canadian pianist Paul Stewart made his orchestral debut in 1981 with the Toronto Symphony, as a last-minute substitute for an indisposed pianist. A re-engagement to perform Tchaikovsky's First Concerto was hailed as “brawny and convincing…there was an overriding solidity and power to his playing that made it the most satisfying of the evening.” Since then, Mr Stewart has established an enviable career as one of Canada’s busiest and most sought-after pianists.

In 1996, Paul Stewart made a highly successful recital debut at London’s Wigmore Hall (broadcast by the BBC),and at the Moscow Conservatory played Rachmaninoff’s Fourth Piano Concerto with the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra,a performance broadcast by radio throughout Russia and subsequently released on a critically acclaimed CD. As a soloist with orchestras, in solo recital and in chamber music, Mr Stewart has been heard throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

Recordings include Benjamin Britten’s ‘Young Apollo’ with I Musici de Montréal (Chandos); "An die Musik: lieder by Schubert and their transcriptions" (CBC Records); Concerto No 4 by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sonata No 7, "Night Wind" by Medtner (Palexa); Medtner's "Complete Works for Piano and Violin", 2 Volumes (Naxos)

Since 2002 he has been Professor of Piano at the Université de Montréal.