Biography
Charl du Plessis is a versatile performer who brings insight into the vast range of music he plays through his own search for truth and beauty. He is the only pianist of his kind performing simultaneously in genres ranging from baroque to pop and is renowned for his interpretations of classical and jazz piano repertoire, both in the concert hall and on CD. He has illuminated the music of Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Scott Joplin, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Billie Joel for a new generation of listeners. His Piano Man disc topped South African Classic 102.7 charts for more than sixty consecutive weeks, making it one of the most successful cross-platform albums in his native country.
Charl du Plessis performs throughout the world with many different partners. In 2009 he toured to China for duo recitals with cellist Hanrich Claassen and in August Du Plessis travelled to Europe with his jazz trio performing crossover arrangements of classical favourites at major festivals.
This season, Du Plessis continues his focus on both the jazz and classical genres with performances including various collaborations. During the South African fall he performed Liszt’s Totentanz in the University of Pretoria’s Seriously Symphonic series. He also performed concerts commemorating Chopin Year 2010 starting with recitals of solo piano repertoire, Chopin’s Sonata for Cello and Piano as well as the rarely performed Piano Trio. This was followed by performances of Chopin’s Variations on a Theme by Mozart “La ci darem la mano” at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in Oudtshoorn, South Africa and in Bloemfontein at the Volksblad Arts Festival.
In May this year Du Plessis was the first artist to inaugurate a new Steinway Model D concert grand piano at the gala opening of the Brooklyn Theatre in Pretoria. For this occasion he performed Beethoven’s Fantasy for piano, choir and orchestra coupled with Mozart’s Concert aria “Ch’io mi scordi di te?” for soprano, piano and orchestra to critical acclaim.
Du Plessisjust returned to South Africa after performances of Claude Bolling’s Suite for Jazz Trio and Cello in Shanghai as part of the Chamber Music Series of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. The Charl du Plessis Jazz Trio also performed a crossover programme of music celebrating Chopin Year 2010 in China.
For the eleventh year running Charl du Plessis will be participating in more than seventy concerts as collaborative pianist for South African entertainer Nataniël. Following numerous recitals with South African violinist Zanta Hofmeyr, Du Plessis will be embarking upon a recording project of music by Sting, Gershwin and Piazzolla for violin and piano in August.
Charl du Plessis has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to aiding the development of young musicians and as a doctor of piano performance he lectures in both classical and jazz piano at the University of Pretoria.
Since January 2010 Charl du Plessis has been named a Steinway Artist, joining an exquisite circle of renowned artists such as Vladimir Horowitz, Martha Argerich, Alfred Brendel, Lang Lang, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau and many more.
For more information on Charl du Plessis please contact:
Artist Manager: Charl du Plessis at