Florian Mitrea

Florian Mitrea was born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1989. He started studying piano with professor Flavia Moldovan at the age of 6. He continued his studies at The George Enescu Music High School, under professor Gabriela Enăşescu. During his studies in Romania, Florian distinguished himself among pianists of his generation, winning the First Prize in the National Music Olympics (three years consecutively), the Grand Prize in the Ada Ulubeanu National Piano Competition and the Third Prize in the Jeunesses Musicales International Competition. He has been awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In July 2012, Florian graduated with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music degree after studying for four years under Professor Diana Ketler. He was also presented with a Regency Award for outstanding studentship and notable achievements. He is currently enrolled on the Master of Arts programme, after being offered a scholarship to continue his studies at the RAM. Florian has also worked with pianists Leif Ove Adsnes, Stephen Kovacevich, John Lill, Pascal Devoyon, Joanna MacGregor, Angela Brownridge, Michael Roll and Boris Petrushansky.

Florian is the winner of The Vienna International Piano Competition – Panmusica Austria 2010, the Beethoven Senior Intercollegiate Piano Competition 2010 and the Sheepdrove Intercollegiate Piano Competition 2011 (part of Newbury Spring Festival). As part of his awards, he has been invited to perform at Eroica Saal-Vienna, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Corn Exchange Arts Centre in Newbury and University of Warwick. He was a laureate in the Jaques Samuel Competition – RAM heat 2009 and this prize brought him a recital at St. James’ Piccadilly Cathedral. He is also a prize-winner in several internal RAM competitions, including the First Prize in the Lilian Davies Competition, Second Prize in the Frederick Delius Chamber Music Competition and Harold Craxton Prize. Following the recommendation of Professor Christopher Elton, Florian has given the premiere of Dr. Timothy Jones’ completed version of the Concerto for Piano, Violin and Orchestra by Mozart, together with the violinist Yuka Ishizuka and the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Professor David Strange. He has performed at the King’s Place, Steinway Hall-London and the Drapers’ Hall, in London. He played with Joanna MacGregor in the Bath Music Festival 2011, in a performance of Stravinsky’s Les Noces conducted by Diego Masson. In March 2012, he toured South Korea with the Royal Academy of Music Soloists; the tour ended with a performance of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasie in Seoul’s 3000-seat Arts Centre Concert Hall. For three years consecutively in May, he has given the performance of a piano concerto with Palmhouse Players (ensemble resident at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Kew).

Florian is also a very active chamber musician. His duo with cellist Alex Rolton won the prestigious Brahms competition – Willfred Parry Prize. They were invited to perform at Colston Hall – Bristol, as well as in the Academy’s Beethoven Festival. Florian has been awarded the Sonoro International Chamber Music Festival Scholarship in 2007 and 2009; he has performed with the outstanding musicians Alexander Sitkovetsky and David Cohen.

Florian’s performances have been broadcast by BBC Radio 3, the Romanian Broadcasting Society – SRR and the Romanian Television Corporation – TVR. He was generously supported by the Ratiu Family Foundation and he is the holder of the Enescu Society Scholarship – 2010/2011, offered by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London.

He is a member of the Romanian Association for Culture, Education and Normality, being involved in projects promoting Romania’s cultural and spiritual heritage.