Ralf Nattkemper (Germany)
The pianist Ralf Nattkemper is widely recognized by international critics as an outstanding representatives of the German pianistic tradition.
He studied with the Russian-Brasilian pianist Yara Bernette, the Italian-Argentinian pianist Fausto Zadra and with Wilhelm Kempff.
He plays regularly in most European countries and musical centers such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Brussels, Venice, Rome, Madrid, Tokyo, Caracas, Sofia etc., and is a frequent guest at numerous festivals, e.g. Venice, Verona, Assisi, Santander, Wallonie, Colonia Tovar (Venezuela). He has played with celebrated orchestras, e.g. l'orchestre de chambre de Lausanne, Hamburger Symphoniker, Bucharest Radio Symphony Orchestra, l'orchestra municipal de Caracas, Bulgarien Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya symphonic ect.
His repertory is very wide from Bach to Messiaen and with special emphasy on the german classical and romantical composers. Especially noted by audiences and critics are the deep understanding and sensitivity he displays in the music of Schubert, which has come to form a central part of his recitals in the recent years.
Ralf Nattkemper is also much in demand as a teacher. Beside his leading a Piano Class at the Hamburg University of Music and Performing Arts he has held masterclasses in New York, Tokyo, Brussels, Venice, Rotterdam, Lausanne, Girona, Lisbon, Madrid, Fulda (Pianale) and many others. In 2011 he was nominated Guestprofessor at the Aichi University of Music and Arts in Nagoya. Since 2011 he is also regularly teaching at Yamaha Masterclass.
Numerous International piano competitions have invited him to serve on the jury like Brussels, Rome, Messina, Caltanissetta, Vibo Valentia, Sofia, San Sebastian, Jaen, Tokyo, ect.
His students got Prizes in important International Competitions and have got numerous awards like the Echo Klassik.
Now many former students are professors at renowned German and foreign Music Universities.