Who is pianist Beatrice Rana?

But who is this fresh-faced musical talent? And why should we keep an eye, and an ear, out for her in the future? Well, we’re glad you asked…

She was destined to be a pianist

Many professional musicians are born into musical families, Rana is no exception – both her parents were professional pianists – and she began studying the piano at the very young age of 4 years old. Although she believes that at just six months old, she played her first scales. In an interview with Star Telegram, she said: ‘They were speaking and playing the piano, so I was learning to speak and play the piano. It was just so natural, a part of my life.’

‘Beatrice Rana possesses an old soul that belies her twenty years, and more than a touch of genius.’

Gramophone Magazine, 2013

She’s a Classic BRIT Awards nominee 

A milestone in Rana’s career was her nomination in the Best Female Artist of the Year category at the 2018 Classic BRIT Awards for her recording of JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The recording also debuted at No.1 in the UK Classical Charts and received global praise by reviewers. Here is Rana performing at the Classic BRIT Awards in 2018, televised live from the Royal Albert Hall.

She created her own music festival

Rana likes to keep herself busy. When not touring, recording and winning awards, you’ll find her working on her annual music festival, Classiche Forme Festival, which she inaugurated in 2017 in her hometown of Lecce. The first Classiche Forme Festival featured three days of chamber performances from Rana and her distinguished peers including cellist Pablo Ferrandez, violinist Marta Kowalczyk and Rana’s sister Ludovica who is an accomplished cellist. 

‘She galvanises the final variations into an exuberant, moving sequence before returning to the peace of the aria with utter calm.’

The Observer on Rana’s recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations

She has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls

Rana’s notable concerts included her performance at the BBC Proms with Sir Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony in the Royal Albert Hall, and at the Mostly Mozart Festival at the Lincoln Center in New York, directed by Louis Langrée. Here she performs at the International Music Festival of the Orpheum Foundation for advancement of Young Soloists at Zurich’s Tonhalle, with the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino conducted by Zubin Mehta.

And enjoys walks in nature on her days off

On her days off from performing in prestigious concert halls, Rana’s preferred method of relaxation involves walks in parks and enjoying art and beautiful architecture across the world. Here she is enjoying the bright sunshine just north of Lecce in southern Italy recently.