Occasionally, we have the honor of welcoming talented and well-known artists to perform in our very own PAC. On Saturday, Feb. 4, AHS was proud to welcome international award-winning Swiss-Chinese pianist Louis Schwizgebel to perform and host a concert recital. While still rising in fame, he has already been named by New York Times as “one of the greater masters of piano”. Arcadia was proud to invite him to showcase his talents, and people from all over the community were ecstatic to attend and listen to the fine classical music of which he produced.

In the world and industry of classical music, Schwizgebel is a quickly rising international star, winning several prestigious awards including, but not limited to: second place at the 2005 Concours de Genève, first place at the 2007 Young Concert Artists European Auditions in Leipzig and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and most recently 2nd place at the 2012 Leeds International Piano Competition, which fueled his new-found international fame. At just the age of 17, Schwizgebel began his career and won his first competition in the Geneva International Music Competition. More recently, in 2013, he was invited to become a BBC New Generation Artist, which chooses only the most talented musicians around the world.

Schwizgebel was born on November 19, 1987 in Geneva, Switzerland. Over the course of his lifetime he has studied piano with several instructors and teachers whom have all contributed to his accomplished and gifted skill level today. Some of which were Josefovski and Meyer at the Lausanne Conservatory, Devoyon at Universität der Künste Berlin, Ax at the Juilliard School, and Nemirovski at the Royal Academy of Music. While also having the honor of accepting many reputable and distinguished awards, he also had the honor of performing with many of the most well known orchestras in the world including, but not limited to: the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony, and the BBC Philharmonic. Furthermore, he also had the opportunity to perform with well respected conductors, such as Charles Dutoit, Sir Mark Elder, and Edward Gardner.

Currently, Schwizgebel lives in London, England and performs solo classical concerts around the world. His moving music and playing has inspired fans and attendees all over the world. Maybe in the future, he might decide to visit Arcadia again, and those who didn’t get the chance to attend this year can have an opportunity once again.