"Bertolazzi is a clear possessor of talent, something that blazes out with a communicative force(though also with poetic delicacy) that rivets your attention."
Bryce Morrison
Giovanni Bertolazzi made his mark on the international scene by winning 2nd prize and 5 special prizes at the prestigious “Franz Liszt” International Piano Competition in Budapest.
In 2024, he was awarded the 43rd “Liszt Ferenc International Grand Prix du Disque” by the Liszt Society of Budapest for his recordings of Liszt’s music, providing further recognition of his interpretative journey dedicated to the Hungarian composer.
These achievements followed more than 40 prizes at major international piano competitions, including the “Busoni” International Piano Competition in Bolzano, the “Thalberg” International Piano Competition in Naples, and the “Alkan Award” in Milan.
In 2022, he received the “Tabor Foundation Award” at the Verbier Festival (Switzerland), and in 2023 he was presented with the “Guglielmina Durini Litta” International Prize in Milan.
Among the highlights of his career are performances with the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of Teatro La Fenice in Venice, the Orchestra of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Tirana, and the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
He has performed at leading concert venues and for prestigious musical institutions, including the Società del Quartetto di Milano, Teatro La Fenice, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Bologna Festival, the Brescia and Bergamo International Piano Festival, the Quirinal Palace, Ferrara Musica, the “F. Liszt” Academy of Music and the “F. Liszt” Memorial Museum in Budapest, the Verbier Festival, the Liszt Festival in Schillingsfürst, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana, the Pharos Arts Foundation (Cyprus), and the Castleton Festival Theatre House (Virginia, USA).
He was the pianist who presented the world’s longest concert grand piano to the public, the BORGATO GRAND PRIX 333 (3.33 metres in length). On this extraordinary instrument he recorded two albums devoted entirely to the music of Franz Liszt, released by BORGATO Collection. These recordings received international critical acclaim, including the Supersonic Pizzicato Award, several Five-star reviews, and nominations for the International Classical Music Awards.
The authoritative music critic Bryce Morrison, after listening to Bertolazzi’s albums, wrote in “The Art of Pianists”: “Bertolazzi is a clear possessor of talent, something that blazes out with a communicative force (though also with poetic delicacy) that rivets your attention”.
His concerts and recordings have been broadcast by Radio France Musique, Bartók Rádió, RAI Radio3, and Radio Romania Muzical. In addition, the television programme “Mestiere Teatro”, hosted by Paolo Gavazzeni on Sky Classica HD, devoted an entire episode to his artistic career.
In September 2026, his new album dedicated to Liszt was released on the Piano Classics label, featuring the complete Paganini Etudes and Concert Etudes.
Born in Verona in 1998, Giovanni Bertolazzi began studying the piano as a child, growing up in a family with a deep interest in culture, art, and music.
After graduating with distinction from the Conservatory of Venice under the guidance of Massimo Somenzi, he continued his studies at the Conservatory of Catania with Epifanio Comis, graduating with the highest honours.
He currently holds the position of Professor of Principal Piano at the Conservatory of Ferrara. Since 2023, he has been regularly invited to give masterclasses for the Universities of Debrecen and Tirana.
"A clear possessor of talent, something that blazes out with a communicative force (though also with poetic delicacy) that rivets your attention."
Bryce Morrison / The Art of Pianists
"The result is a pianistic drama of overwhelming power on the one hand and poetry on the other."
Remy Franck / Pizzicato Magazine
"There is no doubt in my mind that the performances of both Liszt Sonatas (B minor and Dante) are among the very best I have ever heard!"
Cyprien Katsaris – Concert-pianist
"One of his generation’s most gifted pianists, Giovanni Bertolazzi is Liszt interpreter to the manner born and mature beyond his years, consistently channeling his remarkable virtuosity and boundless coloristic resources towards musical ends. His fusion of poetry and scintillation falls directly in the tradition of great aristocratic Lisztians like Jorge Bolet and Claudio Arrau."
Jed Distler – Composer/pianist, radio host and writer
"His level of playing the piano, which is outstanding even by the highest international standards, is enchanting, delightful, calling for meditation and entertaining at the same time, at the highest level of music performance."
Budapest Liszt Society
"Giovanni Bertolazzi belongs to the best pianists of his generation. Not only his pianistic abilities and his formidable technique are of a superior level, but it is his deep musicality and search for musical truth I found so rare and inestimable."
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet – Concert-pianist
"From the first moment you start listening to any piece by choice, you realise that it’s an exceptional pianist playing an exceptional instrument, and moreover, the quality of the recording is also exceptional."
Laszlo Gombos / Budapest Liszt Society Journal
"He possesses remarkable qualities, musicianship, brilliant technique, depth, beautiful sound, sensitivity, and maybe the most important, an artistic personality, which speaks on its own when he plays."
Anne Queffélec – Concert-pianist
"A huge success for a talent who is living up to every flattering promise."
Nicola Cattò / Rivista Musica
"Bertolazzi displays great technique, accompanied by the ability to showcase expressiveness and sensitive, refined lyricism."
Fabio Bardelli / OperaClick
"On this majestic instrument [BORGATO Grand Prix 333], Giovanni Bertolazzi performed Rachmaninov's Third Concerto, showcasing its full range and richness of sound. A virtuoso who dominates the score with the authority of a Cziffra."
Giuseppe Rossi / Rivista Musica
"A virtuoso who dominates the score with the authority of a Cziffra."
Luca Segalla / Rivista Musica
"Not only a great virtuoso of the keyboard, but also an effective communicator, capable of enchanting audiences both in his live recitals and in the recording studio."
Silvia Del Zoppo / MusicPaper Magazine
"His was an interpretation that was energetic and dynamic in the most brilliant passages, but performed with restraint in highlighting every expressive nuance of the phrasing."
Dario Miozzi / Rivista Musica
"The name of Sviatoslav Richter inevitably comes to mind, paying tribute to the artistry and drama of Giovanni Bertolazzi."
Maria Zaleskaya / MuzLife Magazine