Biography by Uncle Dave Lewis

French harpsichordist Pierre Hantaï began to study his instrument of choice from the age of 12 with Arthur Haas; later he continued his lessons with Gustav Leonhardt. In 1983 Hantaï scored his first major triumph through taking first prize at the International Bach-Handel Competition of Bruges in Belgium; since then, Hantaï has collected an impressive number of honors and awards.

In 1985 Hantaï founded the chamber group le Concert Français with his brothers Marc Hantaï and Jérome Hantaï and violinist François Fernandez. At the same time, Hantaï became a regular member of la Petite Bande, a period instrument orchestra led by Sigiswald Kuijken. Hantaï has also worked extensively with conductors Philippe Herreweghe and his former teacher Gustav Leonhardt. On his own, Hantaï's recordings of works of Johann Sebastian Bach have garnered him special praise from critics, in particular his two recordings of the Goldberg Variations, made in 1992 and 2002, respectively. But Hantaï also specializes in seventeenth century English keyboard music and in the works of Domenico Scarlatti.