Pianist and composer Victor Nicoara has been praised for “the wealth of imagination” (Gramophone Magazine), and “depth of interpretation and impressive conviction” (The Whole Note) of his performances, alongside “his considerable technical sovereignty” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), and “virtuosity, an infallible art of touch, but equally poetic internalization” (Online Merker).
A passionate champion of lesser-known works, Nicoara cemented his reputation as a “top class interpreter of Busoni” (Radio Bremen) with his debut solo album of original works by Busoni, which was released on the Hänssler Classic label in 2021. The disc received unanimous critical acclaim for its interpretative depth, impressive sound colour palette, and pianistic mastery from distinguished international publications and outlets, among which Gramophone and Limelight magazines, the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Austrian Radio (Ö1), and the Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
Nicoara’s solo performances have taken him all over Europe and the Middle East, playing in venues such as the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Romanian Atheneum Bucharest, and Salle Flagey Brussels. He frequently collaborates with such musicians as Yoel Gamzou, Vlad Maistorovici, Stefan Hadjiev, Nina Bernsteiner, and Lionel Wartelle. He has played with orchestras such as the Bacău, Timișoara and the Craiova Philharmonic orchestras, and has collaborated with the Neue Philharmonie München.
As a composer, Nicoara’s works have been performed by the RCM Sinfonietta & Contemporary Consort, Trio Alto, Other New Music Ensemble - Miami, the IMO Chamber Ensemble and Ensemble Images. The premiere of “Towards eternally changing distances” by the Staatsorchester Kassel was lauded for its “interesting orchestral colours”(HNA). His acclaimed solo album concludes with his own Quasi Sonatina, which has been described as “a finale that is as worthy as it is poetic” (Das-Klassik) and as “a concise, intimate tribute to Busoni” (American Record Guide). He has written several soundtracks for films - ”Bubico" (2012), and “Die Kreuzersonate" (2018), webseries - “Die Schnäppchenjäger” (2017), and audio books - “Brotac si Broscoi” (2020).
Future plans include further incursions into Busoni’s music - including the realisation of a new solo-piano version of the Fantasia Contrappuntistica. Explorations of the works of Philipp Jarnach (a neglected Busoni protégée), and E.W. Korngold are on the horizon.
Nicoara’s diverse inter-disciplinary collaborations include a long-standing theatre/film and music partnership with actor and producer Jon Kiriac (Berlin), with whom he has worked on numerous projects. He has been the musical and dramaturgical advisor for several feature films, most notably ”Prélude” (2019). He accompanies German-language socio-politically themed cabaret repertoire - Hollaender, Weill, Kreisler, among others - appearing regularly at Berlin’s Theater im Palais. Having developed an interest in the Harmonium, Nicoara has performed frequently in orchestral and opera settings, most recently Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” at Theater Bremen.
From 2009 to 2016, Nicoara was a permanent member of the International Mahler Orchestra where he also held the position of Co-director of its chamber-music series and served as member of the orchestra’s board.
Born in Bucharest, Romania, he graduated with a Master’s degree from the Royal College of Music in London in piano and composition, having studied piano with Andrew Ball, and composition with Huw Watkins and Jonathan Cole. Advisors and mentors include Jacques Rouvier, Vitaly Margulis, Fabio Bidini for piano and Dan Dediu, Julian Anderson, Ștefan Niculescu for composition.
He is currently based in Berlin.
Photos by Bernd Schönberger