Robert Schwartz

Winner of numerous awards, including the 1975 Ravel Prize at the Marguerite Long International Competition in Paris, pianist Robert Schwartz has performed extensively in the U.S. and abroad. Of his performance of the Shostakovich first piano concerto with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the Scranton Times wrote: "His playing was crystal clear and his poetic insights remarkable." Mr. Schwartz made his formal New York debut in 1983 at the Merkin Concert Hall, having already appeared in New York City on the concert series' of the American Landmarks Festivals, Trinity Church and the Maison Française at N.Y.U. Musical appearances on radio have included the WNYC "Americathon" broadcast live from Merkin Hall, WQXR in New York, NPR affiliates KXPR-Sacramento and WGBH-Boston. Klavier Records has released his recording of Romero’s Spirals for piano and orchestra, with the San Francisco Camerata and a CD of Schwartz performing French piano music will be released in early 2009. Mr. Schwartz has recently given recitals and master classes at the Young International Pianists Festival in Vienna, Austria the Chautauqua Institution, the Beijing Conservatory in Beijing, China and, last summer presented a lecture recital on Albéniz’s Iberia at the Portland International Piano Festival in Portland, Oregon. Schwartz has appeared in the Bay Area on the concert series' of Old First Church, The Steinway Society, Noontime Concerts, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Sacramento Chamber Music Society and San Francisco Performances, and has appeared as soloist with the Redding Symphony, the Memphis Symphony, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Camerata and the Orquesta de Cámara Municipal de Rosario, Argentina. Schwartz has taught at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Skyline College and Santa Clara University and is currently on the piano faculty at Mills College in Oakland, CA. He was featured on the California Arts Council Touring Roster for two seasons 2003-2005. Mr. Schwartz holds a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University, a Masters Degree from Juilliard, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Manhattan School of Music.