Chopin Birthday Party with Robert Schwartz – Sunday, March 3 at 2 pm
Chopin Birthday Party with
Robert Schwartz, piano
Birthday cake and champagne reception follows the concert!
Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60
Impromptu in A-flat major, Op. 29
Impromptu in F-sharp major, Op. 36
Scherzo in E major, Op. 54
Nocturne in B major, Op. 62, No. 1
Mazurka in A minor, Op. 59, No. 1
Mazurka in A-flat major, Op. 59, No. 2
Mazurka in F-sharp minor, Op. 59, No. 3
Ballade in F minor, Op. 52
Pianist Robert Schwartz has earned an international reputation as an artist whose powerful performances are marked by poetry, insight, and mastery of his instrument. Known for putting together challenging programs of great dramatic range, he plays actively around the globe and is a sought-after performer here in the Bay Area.
Although his concerts often feature monumental works such as the Liszt sonata and Iberia by Albéniz, his tastes also gravitate to more intimate and lyrical works of Chopin, Ravel and Debussy. His performance of Ondine won him the Ravel Prize in the Marguerite Long competition in Paris, where he studied for two years. His CD of French works by Debussy, Franck and Poulenc has garnered accolades. Schwartz also has displayed an affinity for early 20th century music, particularly the works of Béla Bartók. In 1988 he played several of Bartók’s works in the memorial service marking the transfer of the composer’s remains from New York to Hungary.
Mr. Schwartz’s concerts and master classes have taken him to cities around the United States including New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Portland, Memphis, and Dallas. He has concertized and taught students in Argentina, China, France, Switzerland, and Austria where he has been featured as a master teacher in piano festivals and has made his mark on a generation of young musicians.
Standout performances in the Bay Area include Mozart’s D minor Concerto with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the Redding Symphony and solo recitals at San Francisco Performances, the Steinway Society in San Jose and Old First Concerts in San Francisco. Schwartz participates regularly in Gala Liszt and Chopin concerts at Old First Concerts and he performed in the Debussy Centennial Concerts.
Schwartz is an active piano teacher in San Francisco and considers teaching an essential part of his musical life. He has an extensive private teaching studio and served many years on the piano faculty at Mills College in Oakland. He is currently on the piano faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.