Rockport Chamber Music Festival
Sunday, July 10, 5 PM
KIRILL GERSTEIN, piano
With a masterful technique and discerning intelligence, Kirill Gerstein has proven to be one of today’s most intriguing and versatile musicians. His early training and experience in jazz has contributed an important element to his interpretive style, inspiring an energetic and expressive musical personality that distinguishes his playing.
Winner of numerous awards, including First Prize Winner of the 2001 Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition, a 2002 Gilmore Young Artist Award, and a 2010 Avery Fisher Grant, Gerstein was also the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Gilmore Artist Award which he used to commission boundary-crossing works by Chick Corea, Oliver Knussen, Brad Mehldau, among others. He performs in both recital and solo appearances with orchestras around the world, as well as numerous festivals, including his Salzburg Festival debut playing solo and two piano works with Andras Schiff.
Gerstein’s first orchestral CD was an ECHO Klassik Award-winning world premiere recording of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in the composer’s own 1879 version of the score. His other recordings include Imaginary Pictures, and a 2010 solo recording with works by Schumann, Liszt, and Knussen—both chosen by The New York Times as best recording of the year.
Born in Russia, Gerstein studied classical piano, but taught himself to play jazz by listening to his parents’ extensive record collection. After coming to the attention of vibraphonist Gary Burton, Gerstein came to the United States at 14 to study jazz piano at the Berklee College of Music. After completing his Berklee studies and the Boston University program at Tanglewood, Mr. Gerstein returned to his classical music studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning both Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees by the age of 20. He now serves as both Artist-in-Residence at Berklee College of Music and a member of the piano and chamber music faculty at Boston Conservatory.
“…Mr. Gerstein is emerging as one of the most respected pianists of his generation.” New York Times
PROGRAM
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No.2, “Moonlight”
GOEHR: Variations, Op. 93
LISZT: Sonata après une lecture du Dante
BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major, Op. 27, No.1
LISZT: Selected Transcendental Études
No. 9, Ricordanza
No. 10, Allegro Agitato Molto
No. 12, Chasse-neige
No. 8, Wilde Jagd
Tickets: $65, $59, $47 (fees may apply)
