Peter Frankl

Who is Peter Frankl?

Peter Frankl is a Hungarian-born British pianist. He mainly performs music from the Classical period, the Romantic period and the early Modern period. His recordings include the complete solo piano music of both Debussy and Schumann.

After studying at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Frankl won several piano competitions in the late 1950s. He made his London concert debut in 1962 and first performed in New York in 1967 when he appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell. He also studied with Maria Curcio, the last and favourite pupil of Artur Schnabel. Since then he has appeared as soloist with many other orchestras and conductors. He has been a guest at many international festivals, for example performing the Britten piano concerto with the composer conducting at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Frankl's repertoire also includes chamber music. He formed a long-term collaboration with his compatriot violinist György Pauk and American cellist Ralph Kirshbaum. The BBC commissioned Fourteen Little Pictures by James MacMillan to mark the 25th anniversary of their trio in 1997.