The cello sings like a human voice, as superb in its deep bass as it is moving in its sensitive midrange, and troubling in its often heart-wrenching high notes.

We will have the chance to savor the beauty of its entire range during the cello-piano recital to which you are invited at the Salon Bugrane, an intimate venue that perfectly lends itself to such a proposition.

And during this performance, accompanied by a pianist who is always attentive, respectful of the colors and intentions of his partner, you will discover how much this string instrument can provoke strong artistic emotions in its listeners.

The Program

VIVALDI: Sonata No. 6 in B-flat Major for cello and piano.

CHOPIN: Etude Op. 25 No. 7 (transcription by Glazunov) for cello and piano.

              Introduction and Polonaise brillante Op. 3 for cello and piano.

SHOSTAKOVICH: Sonata for cello and piano Op. 40.

JOSEPH JONGEN: Waltz for cello and piano.

Boris Benazdia ,  cello

Boris Benazdia is a young cellist based in Brussels.

Boris is invited to perform solo, in chamber music, and with orchestras, and to participate in various projects around the world in renowned venues such as Salle Cortot, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Studio 1 Flagey, Bozar, Moscow Conservatory, Zaryadye Hall, and at festivals.

His ability to adapt to different types of projects, ranging from 18th-century music to contemporary creations, makes him a sought-after musician worldwide.

Alongside these musical activities and with the conviction that music should be accessible to all, he co-founded the International Chamber Music Festival « Mas Musici » in rural Creuse in 2016.

After graduating from internationally renowned music institutions in Paris and Brussels and winning several competitions (Festival Musiq’3 RTBF in Belgium), he furthered his studies at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Florence, invited by Russian cellist Natalia Gutman, assisted by Elizabeth Wilson.

Gregory Leonti, piano

Born in 1985, Gregory Leonti began playing the piano at the CNR in Marseille, where he received the highest distinctions: first prize in piano unanimously, first prize in chamber music, and the special « Pierre Barbizet » prize.

He then joined the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in the class of Dominique Cornil and Serguei Leschenko, and obtained his Specialized Master’s degree with great distinction in 2013.

That same year, he became a vocal coach at CNIPAL in Marseille, which allowed him to participate in major artistic projects and perform as an accompanist pianist in renowned operas such as Bordeaux, Marseille, Avignon, Toulon, and Montpellier.

At the same time, Gregory won the laureates’ competition at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and performed Prokofiev’s third concerto with the Conservatory’s Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2014.

That same year, he was chosen by the Liège Philharmonic Orchestra for the « Classic Academy » project and performed Prokofiev’s first concerto with this ensemble. In parallel, he obtained a Didactic Master’s degree with distinction at the Royal Conservatory of Mons in 2015, in the class of Rosella Clini.

Today, Gregory is an accompanist pianist at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, which leads him to participate in numerous musical projects in Belgium.