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Performer

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Modern

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Keyboard

 

Catherine Kautsky is a renowned classical pianist and professor of music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Born in 1961 in New York City, Kautsky grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a composer, so it was only natural that Kautsky would develop a love for music at a young age. Kautsky began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied with several renowned teachers, including Rosina Lhevinne, who was a student of Franz Liszt. Kautsky went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Adele Marcus. She then earned her Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Claude Frank. Throughout her career, Kautsky has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, and the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed in many prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival. Kautsky has received numerous awards and honors for her performances. In 1984, she was a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. She has also been a recipient of the Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant. In addition to her performing career, Kautsky is also a highly respected educator. She has been a professor of music at Lawrence University since 1989, where she teaches piano and music history. She has also taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Kautsky is known for her passionate and expressive performances, as well as her deep knowledge of the music she plays. She has a particular affinity for the music of Franz Schubert, and has recorded several albums of his works. Her recordings have received critical acclaim, with The New York Times praising her “lyricism, clarity, and rhythmic vitality.” One of Kautsky’s most memorable performances was her 2015 recital at the Ravinia Festival, where she performed Schubert’s Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960. The performance was hailed as “spellbinding” by the Chicago Tribune, with the reviewer noting that Kautsky “played with a sense of wonder and discovery that made the music sound fresh and new.” Kautsky’s dedication to music education has also been widely recognized. In 2017, she was awarded the Lawrence University Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is the highest honor given to faculty members at the university. She has also been a frequent guest lecturer and performer at music festivals and universities around the world. In addition to her work as a performer and educator, Kautsky is also a prolific writer. She has written several articles and essays on music, as well as a book on the life and music of Franz Schubert. Her book, “Franz Schubert: A Biography,” was published in 2014 and has been praised for its insightful analysis of Schubert’s life and work. Overall, Catherine Kautsky is a highly respected and accomplished musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her passionate performances, deep knowledge of music, and dedication to education have earned her a place among the most respected musicians of her generation.

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