Stéphan Sylvestre ranks among the most sought-after Canadian pianists. Compared by critics to Artur Rubinstein for his natural talent and flawless technique (La Presse, Montreal), he has given performances across Canada, in the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia. He performed in major concert halls such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the Place des Arts, the National Arts Centre, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, and recorded live for the BBC. Mr. Sylvestre appeared with leading orchestras in Canada including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Sinfonia Toronto and the Orchestra London, and performed in festivals and series such as the Ottawa ChamberFest, Parry Sound’s Festival of the Sound, the Lanaudière International Festival, Pro Musica and the Winnipeg Virtuosi.

Highly praised as a chamber musician, he collaborated and recorded with artists and ensembles such as James Campbell, James Sommerville, Martin Beaver, Michel Strauss, Alain Trudel, Ransom Wilson, Rivka Golani, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Penderecki, New Zealand, New Orford, Alcan and Arthur-Leblanc string quartets, as well as with first chairs of the Israel Philharmonic. His discography, released under Canadian labels ATMA, CBC, Marquis Classics and Espace 21 Records, has been recognized with outstanding reviews worldwide. Nominated for Prix Opus award in Quebec, his recordings of Brahms’ late piano pieces were placed alongside Murray Perahia’s interpretations by WholeNote magazine, and the Strad Magazine in the UK gave a stunning review of his recording of Szymanovski’s complete works for violin and piano with violinist Jerzy Kaplanek.

Mr. Sylvestre regularly gives master classes around the world and sits on juries of national and international competitions. He is also regularly invited to adjudicate for leading higher education institutions and music schools, including the Glenn Gould School and the Conservatoire de Montréal. Highly in demand as a pedagogue of the new generation, his research on the art of performance focuses on the interconnection between the instrument, the awareness of the body and the mental state of the performer. His students are frequent prizewinners in major competitions, and have been awarded prestigious research grants. Mr. Sylvestre is Associate Professor and head of Keyboard Studies at Western University Canada since 2005. His teachers have included Leon Fleisher, John Perry, Marc Durand and Marek Jablonski.