Michiel Sebastiaan Demarey
Concert Pianist, Improviser
Introduction
Michiel Sebastiaan Demarey was born in Veurne and began playing the piano at the age of five.
He now lives in Ghent Belgium. The classical music school experience — and likewise, reading notes — proved a challenge, but through his ear he found his way to Bach, Mozart, and Chopin. Improvisation was from the very beginning a natural part of his musical expression. As a child, he even played alongside the grand master of improvisation, François Glorieux — an encounter that left a profound mark.
At the art high school, Michiel studied piano with Sabine Haenebalcke, who introduced him to Vitaly Samoshko, winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1999. He studied with him for three years at the conservatory. In addition, Michiel took part in masterclasses with great masters, drawing deep inspiration from the insights of Vitalij Margulis.
Michiel began immersing himself in the golden age of pianists — names such as Joseph Hofmann, Alfred Cortot, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ignaz Friedman, Mark Hambourg, and above all Samuil Feinberg left a lasting impression. Their playing was free, improvisatory, with a profound rubato and an intensely personal approach. It struck a chord.
Today, that aesthetic forms the core of Michiel’s musical identity. He has developed a deep bond with the works of Schumann and Chopin — composers in whom he not only recognizes the music, but also himself.
The talent of Improvising
What happends when a most talented piano player goes without the “boundaries” of written notes? A new world with tones and melody is opened. Its is one of the main talents Michiel is gifted with and is of international class.
Besides instant improvising, Michiel stands as The example for playing Chopin and Schumann.
Influencers
Sergej Rachmaninov
Frederic Chopin
Robert Schumann
Brian Eno
Stevie Wonder
Vangelis
What people say about Michiel Demarey
So very special and a hymn of praise and glory of a musician that opened us the door to the eternal longing to rise up and travel through space and time…taking with us our love, excitement but also loneliness and sadness. An Odyssey of a life…a life of longing…Michiel you brought it all together in your beautiful ode for Vangelis and I don’t know anybody better than you that could have created such a beautiful piece of music in his memory…
Just now come to listen this absolute amazing refined interpretation of this mighty moving masterpiece. Michiel may be seen among of the best piano players of the world of the moment. Statement without confusement or any hesitation.
As always, Michiel, you astound me with the beauty of your playing, which is out of this world!!
Wow! Now this is what the piece should sound like. It’s like no interpretation I’ve heard before, yet it sounds exactly right. I was smiling all the way through. The emotion, colour, and soul flows unbridled. You certainly aren’t holding back!
Every recording you do so unique, you pour yourself into your playing which takes the listener on a deep journey and here we can sense your muse, your Olga, in every bar!! Your playing becomes a deep experience which as many pianism lovers as possible should experience!!!
By listening here I feel as if into another realm of some sort of lucid dream steered by this most beautiful pianoplay.
Thrilling! This is one of the most individual yet wholly successful recordings of this piece that I’ve yet heard. Really a remarkable interpretation and one I will listen to again and again