Riyad Nicolas is a Syrian born international concert pianist and multiple prize-winner, described as one of the most exciting artists of his generation. He has received compliments from artists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mitsuko Uchida, and Daniel Barenboim, who wrote that ‘Riyad reached an impressive level of musicianship and has a very high level of music sensitivity’.
Riyad has recently made his debuts at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues, including Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, The Barbican and St. John’s Smith Square in London, as well as Bridgwater Hall and Stoller Hall in Manchester. He has performed in the USA at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Dame Myra Hess/Chicago Cultural Center and Princeton University. In Europe, Riyad has appeared at the Yehudi Menuhin Forum in Switzerland and performed at numerous venues across France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Lebanon and Syria.
Riyad Nicolas has performed as a soloist with many renowned orchestras, such as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, Young Musician Symphony Orchestra, the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra.
Riyad has been selected as an Artist by both The Countess of Munster Trust and The Tillett Trust in London. He won many international piano competitions, including 1st Prize at the Françaix International Piano Competition in Paris, 1st Prize at the Liszt Ferenc International Piano Competition, and the Norah Sande Award in the UK. He won a Gold Medal at the Berliner International Music Competition and has been awarded prizes at the Seiler International Piano Competition in Greece and the London International Piano Competition.