Claire Chevallier

Claire Chevallier (born 1969) is a French pianist specializing in historical keyboard performance, currently teaching fortepiano at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles since 2004. She maintains a significant collection of six historical pianos spanning 1842-1920 and is renowned for her expertise in period performance practice from the classical period through French masters of the 20th century.

Chevallier studied piano at the musical academies of Nancy, Strasbourg (with Hélène Boschi), and Paris (with Bruno Rigutto), while simultaneously pursuing studies in mathematics and physics. She continued her musical education at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles with Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden and Guy Van Waas, where she was awarded first prize in piano and chamber music. Her fascination with the fortepiano developed through a master class with Jos van Immerseel, leading her to independently study the historical background, construction, and maintenance of these instruments.

As a performer, Chevallier is highly acclaimed for her solo recitals, chamber music, and concertos across major European venues including Cité de la Musique in Paris, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and BOZAR in Brussels. She has developed significant expertise as both a fortepiano specialist and performer, bringing historical instruments to theater productions and interdisciplinary collaborations. Since 2013, she has focused research on Russian piano music and instruments, performing Moussorgsky's works on a Becker piano from 1875.

Chevallier's recordings include award-winning albums dedicated to Satie (2008), Liszt (2011), and Moussorgski (2016), as well as the "Piano Works Debussy" (2020). Her work spans French composers like Ravel, Debussy, Satie, and Poulenc, with landmark recordings including Ravel's "Concerto pour la main gauche" with Anima Eterna orchestra.

• First prize in piano and chamber music, Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles
• Member of jury, International Fortepiano Competition (2007, 2010)
• Member of jury, Liszt Competition Utrecht (2014)

Chevallier is celebrated for her interdisciplinary collaborations with artists across dance, theater, and visual arts, including notable projects such as "Chez Bricktop" with Claron McFadden, "Mata-Hari," and "Piano Works Debussy" with dancer Lisbeth Gruwez. She has worked extensively with performing artists including Rosas, David Claerbout, Josse De Pauw, and Jan Lauwers (Needcompany), creating innovative performances that bridge historical music practice with contemporary artistic expression. Her expertise extends to piano tuning and maintenance of historical instruments, documented in her film "CLAIRE CHEVALLIER tunes." She has served as "Friend in Music" at Concertgebouw Brugge (2008-2009) and held a three-year residency at AMUZ Antwerp starting in 2009.