Jonathan Biss
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Biss is an American classical pianist
.
Biss represents the third generation in a family of professional musicians, which includes his grandmother Raya Garbousova
(for whom Samuel Barber
composed his Cello Concerto
), as well as his parents, the Israeli-born violinist Miriam Fried and the violist Paul Biss. He studied at Indiana University
, with Evelyne Brancart, and at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with Leon Fleisher
.
Since he made his New York recital debut at the 92nd Street Y and his New York Philharmonic debut during the 2000-01 season, he has appeared with every major U.S. orchestra, including the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics; the Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco Symphonies, and the Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras, as well as many of the major orchestras in Europe.
In addition to his concert and solo performances, on four continents, he is active in chamber music and appears regularly with many of today’s most respected artists.
In 2010, Biss was appointed to the piano faculty at the Curtis Institute of music, where he studied.
He was an artist-in-residence on American Public Media’s Performance Today
and continues to be a frequent guest on the nationally broadcast radio program.
His brother is Illinois State Representative Daniel Biss
.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Biss represents the third generation in a family of professional musicians, which includes his grandmother Raya Garbousova
Raya Garbousova
Raya Garbousova was a cellist and teacher.-Early life & career:According to the biography contained in the program booklet for the 1997 memorial concert in her honor in DeKalb, Illinois, she made her formal debut in Moscow in 1923 and left the Soviet Union in 1925. She lived and performed in...
(for whom Samuel Barber
Samuel Barber
Samuel Osborne Barber II was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. His Adagio for Strings is his most popular composition and widely considered a masterpiece of modern classical music...
composed his Cello Concerto
Cello Concerto (Barber)
Samuel Barber's Cello Concerto in A minor , completed on 22 November 1945, was the second of his three concertos . Barber was commissioned to write his concerto for Raya Garbousova, an upstart Russian cellist, by Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra...
), as well as his parents, the Israeli-born violinist Miriam Fried and the violist Paul Biss. He studied at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, with Evelyne Brancart, and at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with Leon Fleisher
Leon Fleisher
Leon Fleisher is an American pianist and conductor.-Early life and studies:Fleisher was born in San Francisco, where he started studying the piano at age four...
.
Since he made his New York recital debut at the 92nd Street Y and his New York Philharmonic debut during the 2000-01 season, he has appeared with every major U.S. orchestra, including the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics; the Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco Symphonies, and the Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras, as well as many of the major orchestras in Europe.
In addition to his concert and solo performances, on four continents, he is active in chamber music and appears regularly with many of today’s most respected artists.
In 2010, Biss was appointed to the piano faculty at the Curtis Institute of music, where he studied.
He was an artist-in-residence on American Public Media’s Performance Today
Performance Today
Performance Today is a Peabody Award-winning classical music radio show, currently hosted by Fred Child. It is the most listened-to daily classical music radio program in the United States, with 1.2 million listeners on 237 stations...
and continues to be a frequent guest on the nationally broadcast radio program.
His brother is Illinois State Representative Daniel Biss
Daniel Biss
Daniel Kálmán Biss is an American mathematician and State Representative for the 17th district in the Illinois House of Representatives, serving since 2011...
.
Awards
- 1997: Wolf Trap's Shouse Debut Artist award
- 1999: Avery Fisher Career Grant
- 2002: Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award
- 2002: Gilmore Young Artist
- 2003: Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award
- 2002-2004: member of BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists schemeBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists schemeBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme was devised by BBC Radio 3 Editor Adam Gatehouse and launched in 1999. It exists as part of the BBC's commitment to nurture young musical talent. Every autumn six to seven young artists who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international...
- 2005: Leonard Bernstein Award
Recordings
- Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21 & 22, Jonathan Biss, EMI Classics
- Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Jonathan Biss, EMI Classics
- Schumann Recital, Jonathan Biss, EMI Classics
- Works for Solo Piano, Jonathan Biss, EMI Classics
- Schubert: Piano Sonata in A Major D959; Piano Sonata in C Major 'Reliquie' D840; and two Kurtág Piano Miniatures, Jonathan Biss, Live From Wigmore Hall (2009),WHLive0030