Biography

Peter Cartwright

Described as “brilliant” by Seen and Heard International (2023), South African pianist Peter Cartwright has appeared at leading festivals and concert venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the USA, and England. A two-time South African Music Award (SAMA) winner, he is equally at home as a soloist or chamber musician, with a particular passion for championing South African composers.

Peter has recorded works by Andile Khumalo, Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph, Carlo Mombelli, Conrad Asman, Hendrik Hofmeyr, Musa Nkuna, Alexander Johnson, and Merryl Neille. His recent collaborations include African Bird with flautist Khanyisile Mthetwa, which won the 2022 SAMAs for Best Classical/Instrumental Album and Best Newcomer, and The Dusk of Day, a collection of African art songs from across the continent. In 2021, he was the pianist for the world-premiere video recording of Carl Czerny’s Nonette for piano and chamber ensemble, released on the ArtMusicTV streaming platform.

As a performer, Peter has been featured at the English Music Festival, the National Arts Festival, the Wakkerstroom Music Festival, the FynArts Festival, the 969 Festival, and Jazz and Classical Encounters, among many others. His performances and recordings have been broadcast on Classic FM, RSG, and SABC.

In addition to his performing career, Peter teaches in the Music Department at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He holds a PhD in Music from the same institution, where he studied with Prof. Malcolm Nay and Pauline Nossel.