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 *In 2023, Riyad will be performing at the Emirate Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai, Kennedy Center in Washington/USA, and Balliol College University in Oxford and other places. Please click on  VIDEOS , his Youtube Channel or social media to watch recent videos ! 

 *In 2022, Riyad had many solo Piano and Chamber Music Recitals at several socities and clubs in the UK and US, and also made his debut the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at St. John's Smith Square. Please click on  VIDEOS , his Youtube Channel or social media to watch recent videos ! 

 *In 2021, Riyad has been exploring many new compositions by Schubert, especially that this compositions brings him a lot of peace. Please click on VIDEOS , Youtube Channel, social media to watch recent videos related to Schubert! 

* Read recent review about Riyad's solo recital dedicated to Schubert at St Mary's Perviale "Refined beauty in the name of peace" by clicking on Reviews

* In 2020, Riyad will be performing for Bideford Music Club, Dartford Grammar School, Oriental Club and St Nicholas Church at the UK amongst other concerts. 

 

 

*In April 2019, Riyad has joined the stage with Dame Mitsuko Uchida for a concert at Cadogan Hall in London raising £90000 for "Hands up for Syria" organization.

*In August 2018 Riyad won the Grand Slam/ First Prize at the International Liszt Ference Piano Competition. 

*In December 2017 Riyad won the mid-day Manchester audition and will be making his debut at the Birdgwater Hall in Manchester in 2018-2019. 

 *Riyad has recentely been invited to teach Piano at the Junior Department of Guildhall School of Music from September 2017.

*In April 2017 Riyad won the Gold Medal at the Berliner International Piano Competition and will be presented by Manhattan Concert Artists. 

* New Video recording of a Syrian Compositions  by Kareem Roustom and Chopin Nocturne Op.9, No. 3 can be found at VIDEOS

* ITV Border interview Riyad about Syria before performing for Carlisle Music Society and video can be found at VIDEOS

 *In August 2016, Riyad has been sellected as one of 24 finalists to complete at the Busoni International Piano Competition in August 2017.

*In June 2015 The Countess of Munster Trust has exceptionally sellected Riyad as an artist for a 2nd year. He will be giving regular solo recitals  at many prestigious music socities at the UK and abroad, including some concerto performances with orchestras during the next season 2015-2017.

 *In June 2015 Riyad graduated with distinction in Master of Performance from the Royal College of Music .

* Recent reviews from Sunderalnd amd Cockermouth Societies can be found be clicking on Sunderland or Cockermouth

*In June 2014 Riyad has been selected as an artist at The Couness of Munster Concert Scheme.

 *A recent review on 1s prize winner concert of Norah Sande Award "Riyad Nicolas" can be found be clicking on Eastbourne review

*In February 2014 Riyad won the Gold Medal at the prestigious Chappell Medal Piano Competition at the Royal College of Music.

"In July 2013 Riyad won the 1st prize in Norah Sande Award Piano Competition and will be performing in Eastbourne and Cambs in the UK as part of the prize. Please go to "Concerts" section for more updates.

* The success of his Beethoven Emperor Concerto performance with London Chamber Orchestra led to a considerable fund raising of over £150000 for The International Rescue Committe (for Syria) at the UK. Samples of videos can be seen by clicking on VIDEOS

* In February 2012 , Riyad was chosen as one of the Tillett Trust’s Young Artist Platform Scheme. Very recentely in October 2012 he made his debut in Wigmore debut and soon he will be making his debut in Cadogan Hall performing Beethoven 5th Concerto with the London Chamber Orchestra. In addition he will be performing in many prestigious festivals in the UK and also in Spain.

*Riyad is working on his CD recording offer in France being the 1st prize winner of Francaix International Piano Competition. 

*Teaching: In addition to Riyad's performance career, Riyad has an extensive teaching experience having started to teach the Piano from 2007 till now. He is now teaching at the JD of Guildhall School of Music and Dartford Grammar School. For private teaching please email info@riyadnicolas.com




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Reviews - "The Guardian" interview with a 15 years old Syrian Pianist, Uk, 2005 :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/apr/06/classicalmusicandopera1

Out & about: classical
Guardian
Straight outta Syria

Riyad Nicolas, 15 but with the poise of a 30-year-old, looks at me as if I am mad. I have just asked him if he feels exceptional - a Chopin-loving pianist from Syria. After all, I reason, the Middle East is hardly noted for its production of classical musicians. Nicolas says there are many good pianists in Syria and Lebanon, and he should know: he has competed against them in domestic competitions. "I think this idea that we have no appreciation of classical music is a myth," he says. My vision of Syria, it seems, is as myopic as George Bush's.
Nicolas is the youngest competitor in the London International Piano Competition, which started at the Royal Academy of Music this week and ends at the Royal Festival Hall next Tuesday (details: 0870 4018181 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0870 4018181 end_of_the_skype_highlighting). The field comprises 24 pianists under 30; these will be whittled down to three, who will each play a concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in the final.
The overall winner gets £14,000, a guaranteed number of recitals and a record deal with Naxos. Winning or being placed gives a young pianist a huge boost in this ultra-competitive world. Previous prizewinners in the competition, which began in 1991, include Ashley Wass, Paul Lewis, AnttiSiirala and Simon Trpceski.
Nicolas, who is up against pianists almost twice his age, isn't predicting victory, but nor is he intimidated by the opposition. "I am very happy to have been accepted at this age," he says, "but I'm not afraid of the older competitors. I have won all-age-group competitions in Syria." And his role models? "Richter and Pollini," he says with a laugh.
He studies at a conservatory in Aleppo in northern Syria. There he had two Russian teachers, and their influence is apparent in the way he attacks the romantic repertoire and in his choice of composers: he played Scriabin and Rachmaninov in the first stage of the competition and has lined up Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and Rachmaninov's Concerto No 2 if he progresses further.
At the very least, Nicolas is hopeful of winning one of the four awards for younger pianists and says that, with a grant, he would hope to come to London to study. And does he believe he will make it as a concert pianist? "Yes, I hope so. I think that it will be." If only to scotch forever the notion that there is no culture of classical music in the Middle East.
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