The Olivier Music Barn, 11:00 AM
Program
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Geistervariationen (Ghost Variations), WoO 24
GYÖRGY KURTÁG: “Silence” and “Quiet Talk with the Devil” from Játékok (Games)
AMY BETH KIRSTEN: (speak to me)
(Deceit)
(Curse)
(Longing)
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen (Fantastic and passionate)
Mässig. Durchaus energisch. (Moderate. Quite energetic)
Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten (Slowly. Consistently quiet)
Jonathan Biss, piano
The globally recognized pianist Jonathan Biss was praised by The New Yorker for his “impeccable taste and a formidable technique.” A multi-faceted artist, he is equally celebrated for his performance career, his pedagogical contributions, and his eloquent and insightful musical scholarship.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Biss maintains a prolific schedule of recitals, chamber music, and concerto engagements across the United States and Europe. As a soloist, he performs with many of the world’s premier orchestras, including the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics, the Boston and London symphonies, and the Royal Concertgebouw. He has also collaborated with artists ranging from Midori to Mark Padmore.
Since 2018 Biss has served as the co-artistic director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival alongside Mitsuko Uchida. His commitment to education includes a decade on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music and guest professorships at the New England Conservatory and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
A champion of new music, Biss has commissioned works by Alvin Singleton, Tyshawn Sorey, and Tyson Gholston Davis. In 2020 he recorded Beethoven's complete piano sonatas and reached more than 150,000 students via his related Coursera series. His fourth book, Unquiet: My Life with Beethoven, was published that same year. A third-generation musician, Biss studied at Indiana University and the Curtis Institute of Music.
GYÖRGY KURTÁG: “Silence” and “Quiet Talk with the Devil” from Játékok (Games)
AMY BETH KIRSTEN: (speak to me)
(Deceit)
(Curse)
(Longing)
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen (Fantastic and passionate)
Mässig. Durchaus energisch. (Moderate. Quite energetic)
Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten (Slowly. Consistently quiet)
Jonathan Biss, piano
The globally recognized pianist Jonathan Biss was praised by The New Yorker for his “impeccable taste and a formidable technique.” A multi-faceted artist, he is equally celebrated for his performance career, his pedagogical contributions, and his eloquent and insightful musical scholarship.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Biss maintains a prolific schedule of recitals, chamber music, and concerto engagements across the United States and Europe. As a soloist, he performs with many of the world’s premier orchestras, including the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics, the Boston and London symphonies, and the Royal Concertgebouw. He has also collaborated with artists ranging from Midori to Mark Padmore.
Since 2018 Biss has served as the co-artistic director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival alongside Mitsuko Uchida. His commitment to education includes a decade on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music and guest professorships at the New England Conservatory and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
A champion of new music, Biss has commissioned works by Alvin Singleton, Tyshawn Sorey, and Tyson Gholston Davis. In 2020 he recorded Beethoven's complete piano sonatas and reached more than 150,000 students via his related Coursera series. His fourth book, Unquiet: My Life with Beethoven, was published that same year. A third-generation musician, Biss studied at Indiana University and the Curtis Institute of Music.