Irina Lankova graduated with the highest honors from Gnessin College of Music in Moscow and Brussels Royal Conservatory. She studied with great pianists of the Russian School such as Evgeny Moguilevsky (himself a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus), Irina Temtchenko, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and others. Trained in the Russian Pianistic Tradition, she attaches the greatest importance to the singing quality of piano tone, and phrasing and is highly praised for the colorful palette and lyrical nature of her interpretations: “her touch is genuinely poetic, and she works on a large tonal canvas, conjuring moods and atmospheres with compelling authority” (The Independent); “Her playing is distinguished by the golden tone” (Pianist)

After her “totally convincing and intensely musical” (Musical Opinion) debut at Wigmore hall in 2008, Irina Lankova was invited to join the worldwide piano elite Steinway Artists. Now firmly established on the international scene, Irina Lankova continues to play Rachmaninov, Scriabin, and Schubert with the same intuitive and emotional approach, precise and free. She embodies the ardor of Rachmaninoff, as elegant as it is untamed, the spiritual finesse of Scriabin, or the melancholy of Schubert with authenticity and passion.

Willing to bring more people to classical music, Irina Lankova developed a number of innovative projects. During her recitals Piano unveiled © she gives erudite and spontaneous introductions in French and English, giving some fascinating keys to listening, drawing parallels between historical facts and evoking connections with other art forms. “She creates something less conventional where everyone feels welcomed,” confirmed International Piano Magazine.
Piano Unveiled also exists as a short video series about the art of piano playing on the artist’s official YouTube channel, which counts several million views.

In 2020, she developed a multimedia project Goldberg Visions in collaboration with the video artist Isabelle Françaix, bringing video as a counterpoint to the timeless masterpiece of Johann Sebastien Bach.

In March 2021, Irina Lankova released her latest album Elégie with a personal selection of her favorite works by Rachmaninov, Schubert, and Bach. "Beyond the virtuosity required by Rachmaninoff's repertoire, there is this urgency, this dramatic power, this art of magnifying the sadness so characteristic of Russian culture, that Irina Lankova brings to us with no filter other than that of her soul" (Audiophile Magazine). The renowned photographer Peter Lindbergh made the photos and the film that accompany the album. Her previous albums dedicated to Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Chopin, and Schubert are highly acclaimed by critics for their “great sensitivity”(Pianiste), “very personal narrative” (La Libre Belgique), and “complete sincerity” (Education musicale).

Passionate about sharing classical music and her experience, Irina Lankova gives Master Classes. Since 2015, she has been the artistic director of Max Festival, an international music festival in the heart of the Belgian countryside outside of Brussels.

A unique pianist, as much in her deeply expressive interpretations and meaningful program choices as in her personal way of presenting the works with a few brief narrated introductions, she creates an exciting and poetic concert experience. Her last season was highlighted by her sold-out recital at Carnegie Hall in New York, Salle Gaveau in Paris, and Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Season 2023/24 is marked by the release of the new album “A Moment Illuminating Eternity”, recorded live at Salle Cortot in Paris and a recital tour with the same program worldwide.