The son of parents who were both doctors, Pierre-Laurent Aimard entered the Lyons Conservatoire at the age of seven gaining a premier prix five years later. From the age of twelve Aimard studied piano with Yvonne Loriod, chamber music with Geneviève Joy and counterpoint with Jean-Claude Henry at the Paris Conservatoire. He gained his premier prix in piano in 1972 and in chamber music a year later. His studies with Messiaen’s wife Loriod prepared him for the Messiaen Competition which he won. Aimard then completed his piano studies in London with Maria Curcio. His winning of the Messiaen Competition launched Aimard’s career and since then he has built up a reputation as one of the greatest pianists of today to be particularly associated with...