Saleem Ashkar is 'Glad to Be a Part of ClaviCologne Initiative'

Saleem Ashkar will be a professor at the 2025 ClaviCologne International Piano Festival, offering young musicians the chance to learn from his extensive experience as a recitalist, chamber musician, and Beethoven specialist. With a celebrated international career and dedication to nurturing future talent, his masterclasses will provide invaluable insights for aspiring artists.

This year’s edition of the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival will feature some of the world’s most renowned professors and pedagogues, offering young musicians essential skills and experience. Among the esteemed faculty is Saleem Ashkar, a dedicated recitalist, chamber musician, and educator, who will provide valuable insights to aspiring musicians from around the globe.

“I am glad to be a part of the ClaviCologne initiative,” he shared. “It will be a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to learn from such an outstanding group of professors in the beautiful city of Pescara.”

Saleem Ashkar made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 22 and has since built an exciting international career. His recent and upcoming concerto highlights include performances with the Bamberger Symphoniker, Orchestre National de Lyon, Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta de Valencia, Konzerthaus Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Copenhagen Philharmonic. In autumn 2021, he toured Germany with the Kammerakademie Potsdam, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and the world premiere of David Coleman’s Piano Concerto.

A devoted recitalist and chamber musician, Saleem is particularly renowned as a Beethoven specialist, having performed the complete cycle of Beethoven’s Sonatas in Prague, Duisburg, and at the Konzerthaus Berlin. Recent and upcoming performances include recitals at the Oslo Opera House, Wigmore Hall in London, Queen’s Hall in Copenhagen, Milan’s Verdi Conservatory Hall, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Boulezsaal Berlin, and the Musikverein in Vienna.

With a wealth of experience across all areas of classical music, Saleem also serves as Artistic Director of the Galilee Chamber Orchestra, composed of both young and professional musicians. 

Saleem’s most recent recordings have been released by Decca Records, including the Mendelssohn Piano Concertos with the Leipzig Gewandhaus and Riccardo Chailly, as well as two Beethoven concertos with the NDR Elbphilharmonie and Ivor Bolton. He has also recently completed the Beethoven Piano Sonata cycle for Decca, with the final volumes released during the 2022/23 season.

Saleem Ashkar exemplifies a truly gifted musician who, beyond his performances, is committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians and fulfilling a vital cultural mission through his role as Artistic Director. For the students of ClaviCologne, attending his masterclasses will be a great opportunity to learn from his vast wisdom and experience in the music industry.