Pierre Hantaï

Harpsichordist Pierre Hantaï is strongly associated with the keyboard works of J.S. Bach and Domenico Scarlatti. He has also been active in chamber ensembles and as an accompanist. Hantaï was born in Paris on February 28, 1964. Inspired by Gustave Leonhardt's performance of Bach's music, he began playing at home, which led to studies on the harpsichord with Arthur Haas at age 12. He later studied under Leonhardt in Amsterdam for two years. In 1983, Hantaï scored his first major triumph by taking first prize at the International Bach-Handel Competition of Bruges in Belgium; si...