© Lyodo Kaneko
Diapason d’Or · Choix d’ArteLiszt, Transcendental Études
5 DiapasonsBach, Goldberg Variations
No. 1 at the Tribune des critiques de disquesBach, Goldberg Variations
About
A pianist with a strong artistic personality, Gabriel Stern is admired for the finesse of his playing, the depth of his interpretations and the rigour of his programme choices.
Trained at the Haute École de Musique (HEM) de Genève in Cédric Pescia's class, he earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master de Concert before continuing his studies with Eliso Virsaladze in Florence. During these two years of exceptionally demanding teaching, he deepened his musical vision and firmly established his artistic identity. He then joined the Master de Soliste programme at the HEM de Genève, which he pursued for three years in Nelson Goerner's class. In 2023, he received the Carolina Pajonk Prize, a rare distinction awarded to a pianist who has particularly distinguished himself in this programme.
His first recording, devoted to J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations and released on Lyrinx, was unanimously praised by critics. France Musique highlighted “the concentration, the intellect and the loftiness of vision” of his interpretation. Alain Lompech wrote glowing reviews in Bachtrack and Classica, while Diapason awarded it five Diapasons. In 2025, the album reached the top spot of France Musique's Tribune des critiques de disques.
His recording of F. Liszt's Twelve Transcendental Études, released on Mirare, was awarded a Diapason d'Or and the Choix d'Arte, among numerous other distinctions from the specialist press.
In 2024, he performed the complete first book of J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, the first stage of a project devoted to the complete two books.
Gabriel Stern has performed in recital in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg, in renowned halls and festivals such as the Auditorium de Radio France in Paris, the Festival International de Piano de La Roque d'Anthéron, La Grange de Meslay, the Festival Radio France Occitanie Montpellier, the Théâtre de l'Alliance Française, the Salle Métropole in Lausanne, the Salle Paderewski in Lausanne, the Jardins Musicaux de Cernier, the Festival des Athénéennes in Geneva, the Palais de l'Athénée, the Théâtre Kléber-Méleau, the Piano Salon Christophori in Berlin, the Festival d'Ettelbruck in Luxembourg, as well as the Bechstein Hall in London.
He has performed alongside musicians from the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, as well as with the Sinfonia Varsovia under the direction of Aziz Shokhakimov, notably during a Liszt evening at the Festival International de Piano de La Roque d'Anthéron devoted to the two piano concertos.
Gabriel Stern also pursues a teaching career alongside his work as a pianist. He has taught piano at La Bulle d'Air in Geneva since 2021 and was invited in 2023 by Ricardo Castro to give a master class at the HEM de Genève. After enriching his practice with training in social cognition at the University of Geneva and in education and mediation at the Philharmonie de Paris, he is continuing his training at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, as part of the Certificat d'Aptitude de Professeur de Piano.
Discography
Franz Liszt
Mirare · 2022
“The Transcendental Études vehemently express Liszt’s passions and feelings. To experience them is to shake the world and reveal oneself.”
Spotify (opens in a new tab) Qobuz (opens in a new tab) Deezer (opens in a new tab) All 14 reviews of the album
Johann Sebastian Bach
Lyrinx · 2019
“The light emanating from the Goldberg Variations is unique and overwhelming. My encounter with this work was an illumination.”
Spotify (opens in a new tab) Qobuz (opens in a new tab) Deezer (opens in a new tab) All 9 reviews of the album
In concert
From France Musique to the La Roque d’Anthéron festival: Gabriel Stern in concert, from Bach to Prokofiev.
Johann Sebastian BachSonatinaFrance Musique
2:41
Franz LisztChasse-neigeMirare Productions
5:46
Franz LisztSonata in B minorSwiss Radio Television
32:17
From fellow musicians
“Virtuoso pianist and hypersensitive artist”
“His rare artistic dedication has given him a unique vision of the works in his repertoire.”
“Gabriel Stern possesses a rich, eloquent sound, expressive playing and high aesthetic standards.”
“Gabriel Stern is a pianist who has reached a remarkable artistic maturity and possesses pianistic skills of the highest calibre.”
© François Zuidberg
Presenters, festivals, journalists
