Commended for having ‘fluid virtuosity in combination with a mature and thoughtful musicality’ by local music critic William Byrne, Cristo Harijan is an aspiring British-American pianist based in the Northeast of England.

Born in upstate New York, Cristo began his musical journey performing the songs of great American country artists such as Johnny cash on the guitar from age 4, and at the age of 9 Cristo made the decision to dedicate his life to the piano. Since then he has developed an impressive repertoire, with a particular emphasis on large scale romantic works.

After moving to the UK Cristo was accepted into Chethams school of music in 2015, there he was immediately noticed by head of keyboard Murray Mclachlan for his ‘fiery virtuosity’, who took him on as a student. Cristo continued his studies with Murray at the RNCM where he graduated with a 1st in 2023, receiving emphatic praise following his final recital - a formidable programme including the Bach / Busoni Chaconne and the Liszt B minor sonata. During his time at the RNCM Cristo performed many concerts at established venues including the Bridgewater hall, Buxton opera house, and St James Piccadilly Church. Cristo also had the opportunity to work directly with leading pianists such as Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Stephen Hough and Roberto Plano.

In 2022 Cristo received a taste of international recognition when he got through to the final of his first piano competition, the Krogulski international competition in Poland. Since then he also received 3rd medal in the Lazlo Spezzaferri music prize in Italy, and passed to the final of the RNCM’s Mark Ray recital prize two consecutive years, winning it in 2023.

Cristo has been most recently been accepted onto the artist diploma cycle at the école normale de musique Alfred Cortot in Paris, where he travels for several days of the month to have lessons with renowned French pianist and pedagogue Pierre Réach.

The concert will start at 2pm.