Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Leonard Hokanson was an American classical pianist and professor who was born on August 16, 1931, in Portland, Oregon. He was the son of a music teacher and began playing the piano at a young age. Hokanson's talent was quickly recognized, and he was accepted into the Juilliard School in New York City at the age of 16. At Juilliard, Hokanson studied with the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied with other notable pianists, including Rudolf Serkin and Mieczysław Horszowski. Hokanson's talent and dedication to his craft were evident, and he graduated from Juilliard with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1952. After graduation, Hokanson began his career as a concert pianist. He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1953, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was a success, and Hokanson quickly gained a reputation as a talented and versatile pianist. Over the course of his career, Hokanson performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He also performed as a soloist in recitals and chamber music concerts throughout the United States and Europe. Hokanson was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Schubert, and Mozart. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by many composers, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Milton Babbitt. In addition to his performing career, Hokanson was also a respected teacher. He taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1963 to 1996, where he was a professor of piano and chamber music. He also taught at the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Hokanson's recordings were highly regarded, and he received many awards and accolades throughout his career. He won the Naumburg Award in 1954, the first pianist to do so. He was also a recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize in 1977, which recognized his contributions to the world of classical music. Hokanson's recordings of the complete piano works of Schubert and the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven were particularly well-received. He also recorded works by Mozart, Brahms, and contemporary composers. Hokanson continued to perform and teach until his death on October 26, 2003, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy as a talented pianist and a dedicated teacher who inspired generations of musicians.

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