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Canadian virtuoso pianist, composer, and recording artist renowned for his exceptional technical mastery and profound interpretations of complex and rarely performed repertoire.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Hamelin displayed prodigious talent early, studying with his father and later at the Vincent-d'Indy School and Temple University.Gaining international recognition through competitions and recordings, he became celebrated for championing the works of Alkan, Godowsky, Medtner, Sorabji, and other composers known for extreme technical demands.Beyond his virtuosity, Hamelin is acclaimed for his intellectual depth, clarity, and musical insight across a vast range of repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary, including his own compositions.He maintains an active international concert career, records extensively (primarily for Hyperion Records), and holds positions at institutions like the New England Conservatory.

• Hamelin is famous for his 'effortless' technique, often described as making the near-impossible sound easy and musical, focusing on the composer's intent rather than mere showmanship.
• His extensive discography for Hyperion Records, particularly the 'Hamelin Edition', has been groundbreaking, bringing obscure, technically ferocious piano works by composers like Alkan, Godowsky, and Medtner to a wide audience and critical acclaim.
• Some critics early in his career occasionally perceived a certain 'coolness' or intellectual detachment in his interpretations of core Romantic repertoire, though this view has largely shifted as his profound musicality became more widely recognized.