Riyad Nicolas

I am thrilled to share some happy moments performing Bach Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, organised by @BMGFoundation. I hope it brighten your Sunday ❤️ Full YouTube video is here: youtu.be/vKSYbaCbmhA . . #Pianist #Musica #orchestra #piano #classic

🎬 Watch Full video: youtu.be/64sRHjbTFf0?si… Dabké from Suite Syrienne by Syrian composer Dia Succari — a virtuosic, high-energy dance inspired by the folk melody “Ya Ghzayel Ya Bo El Hiba.” Blending Arabic folk spirit with French-influenced harmony, it features powerful climaxes, lyrical contrasts, and colors reminiscent of Oud and Qanun. #piano #syrianmusic #diasuccari #music #recording #dance

A special solo piano recital at The Covington in Aliso Viejo. My first visit to Los Angeles, and I couldn’t have wished for a more welcoming and heartfelt audience. Grateful for this inspiring musical journey during the half-term break. . . . #losangelos #california #recital #piano #love #practice #love #warm

What a year it’s been 🎶✨ Sharing a few moments from my last concert of 2025, held in mid-December at the Reform Club in the UK, and finally posting some photos from the @CarletonCollege Convocation concert in the USA at the beginning of the year with my @MarielaShaker that I never got around to sharing. So grateful for the music, the memories, and everyone who supported me along the way. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year! 🥂 #HappyNewYear #pianist #piano #concert #duet #classicalmusic #usa #uk

The fiery Étude Révolutionnaire No. 1 by Walid Al Hajjar🔥🎹 Recorded live at @wiltshiremusic Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, UK. 🎹🔥 Tim Walker – Technical Manager Sarah Fleming – Technical Assistant ▶️ Watch the full performance on YouTube and subscribe for more : youtube.com/watch?v=j6mmgC… #pianist #piano #etude #livepiano #classicalmusic #ContemporaryClassical #wiltshiremusiccentre #alhajjar #pianosolo #steinway #Syrian

Throwback to an unforgettable night in @PianoForte_Chi - performing “Resonances of Armenia, Syria & the Classical Masters” on the stunning Fazioli piano. Thank you to @AGBU and to everyone who filled the room with warmth and support. 🎶✨ #Throwback #TBT #Music #LiveMusic #Concert #Piano #Pianist #ClassicalMusic #Musician #MusicLife #InstaMusic #Performance #MusicLovers #Artist #liveperformance

Honored to perform a program dedicated to the music of my heritage at the Selfhelp Home in Chicago. The works of Armenian and Syrian composers have always inspired me with their depth, emotion, and connection to identity. It was a joy to share these pieces in an intimate recital — a heartfelt celebration of where I come from. Music carries our stories across generations and borders. ❤️🇦🇲🇸🇾🎹 . . . #concert #pianist #piano #chicago #music #musician #syria #Yerevan

So thankful for the memorable time at @MonmouthCollege — performing, teaching, and connecting with passionate young musicians. Huge thanks to Dr. Tim Pahel for making this visit so special! . . . #piano #pianist #music #masterclass #concert #monmouthcollege #gratitude

🎹 Still feeling grateful after a wonderful visit to @IllinoisStateU It was a joy to perform a solo piano recital and give a masterclass to such talented students. Many thanks to Dr. Geoffrey Duce for the kind invitation and warm welcome. . . . #pianist #concert #masterclass #livemusic #piano #usa #illinoisstateuniversity

It was such a joy to perform my new repertoire in Chicago recently.I find it so rewarding to spend time learning and living with masterworks by Bach and Beethoven. Just steps away, the beach was calling irresistibly 😎,but the piano won. 🎹🌊. . #love #piano #pianist #concert

With everything happening in the world right now, I find myself turning to music—not to escape, but to reflect and reconnect. I’m sharing my performance of Chopin’s Ballade No. 4. It was recorded some time ago, but I hadn’t shared it until now. This piece continues to reveal something new to me every time I play it—beauty, pain, tenderness, and intensity all woven together. I hope it offers you a moment to pause, reflect, and feel. 📷 Full performance here: youtube.com/watch?v=51BxaQ… #piano #pianist #chopin #ballade #music #musician #love #peace

A short clip from my performance of Etude Al Hajjar No. 1 at the Junior Guildhall Piano Festival. Always a joy to be part of this vibrant community and to teach such dedicated young musicians every Saturday. . . . @guildhallschool @walidalhajjar #piano #live #teacher #live #love

One of the most unforgettable concerts I've had the joy to perform — both solo and alongside my partner in crime, the my @MarielaShaker — took place at the gorgeous Richardson Auditorium. The hall’s acoustics were simply breathtaking, elevating every note to something magical. What made the night even more meaningful was connecting with some of the most inspiring leaders and students from Princeton University, right in the heart of campus. Grateful for the music, the energy, and the brilliant minds we shared the evening with. 🎶💫 @Princeton @PrincetonSPIA @DMC_RPH #PrincetonUniversity #RichardsonAuditorium #piano #violin #duets #love #music #classical #princeton #usa

A rehearsal moment at the stunning Alexander Hall, Richardson Auditorium- Beethoven’s Appasionata at Princeton University! @PrincetonSPIA @Princeton @DMC_RPH #piano #pianist #beethoven #princetonuniversity #live #music #concert #usa #rehearsal

20% Off the Remaining Few Tickets for “The Considered Pianist”
We’re offering 20% off the last few places on our course at the beautiful Benslow Music Centre on 6th and/or 7th July. The day includes high-quality one-to-one tuition, lectures, a relaxed performance opportunity, and time to socialise over three delicious meals provided by Benslow. If you’d like to come along, just use the code EASTERSALE before 10th April. Here’s the link for more information: eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-consider…
Feel free to message me with any questions.Thanks,
Riyad

It was truly special to travel, perform solo and duets with my wife, @MarielaShaker, and meet the wonderful students and faculty at the University of Texas at Dallas! I hope this Bach capriccio video brings you some joy 🙂(@UT_Dallas @utd_arts ) . . . #piano #travel #concert #bach #musica #violin #love #pianist #students #music

So thrilled for my student, Dona Ilieva, for winning the Senior Piano category of the House Solos - Young Musicians of the Year Competition at @ForestSchoolE17 ! It’s been incredibly rewarding to see her steady development over the years, and I look forward to her continued musical journey 🙂 . . . #pianoteacher #piano #pianomusic #student #competition #happy @followers

This piece has held a special place in my heart since I was 14 years old. When I returned to perform it after all these years, many memories from my practice sessions at the Sabah Fakhri Music Institute in Aleppo (formerly the Arabic Institute) and the concerts I gave in the halls of Aleppo came rushing back. Although the institute is now nearly closed, I still hold onto hope for its revival. But the music and the memories will always remain alive in my heart. I hope you enjoy this recording of Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" from my recent concert at @ChopinSoc Watch the full performance here youtube.com/watch?v=lFH7tE… هذه القطعة كانت لها مكانة خاصة في قلبي منذ أن كنت في الرابعة عشرة من عمري. عندما عدت لأعزفها بعد هذه السنوات، استعدت العديد من الذكريات عن تدريباتي في معهد صباح فخري للموسيقى في حلب (العربي سابقاً) والعروض التي قدمتها في قاعات حلب. رغم أن المعهد أصبح قريبًا من الإغلاق، إلا أنني ما زلت أتمسك بالأمل في عودته، والموسيقى والذكريات ستظل حية في قلبي. أتمنى أن تستمتعوا بتسجيل "رابسودي هنغارية رقم 2" لليست من حفلي الأخير في جمعية شوبان. #liszt #hungarianrhapsody #classicalmusic #PianoPerformance #musiclovers #chopinsociety #piano #Aleppo #live @followers #ليست # #موسيقى_كلاسيكية #أداء_بيانو #عشاق_الموسيقى

Reflecting on a special performance at @LewisUniversity, sharing a Syrian program with wonderful students and faculty. It was a privilege to connect with such a great community. Sharing a few photos as we close the year—wishing everyone a joyful start to the new year. #music #live #piano #concert #USA #syrian

Adjudicating the John Longmire Competition was a joy! 🎶 Talented @TrinityLabanMT pianists, led by @PianistJiLiu , performed Beethoven Sonatas & Ecossaise. Congrats to the finalists & all participants—it was an honor to hear you! 👏🎹 #piano #Beethoven #music

Excited to share a video from my ⁦@LewisUniversity⁩ concert! Featuring works by Syrian composers Dia Succari, Kareem Roustom, Zaid Jabri and ⁦⁦@walidalhajjar⁩. Please let me know if you’d like the score of your favourite piece! #piano #live youtu.be/-POtu4Y4xGI