Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Xak Bjerken is a renowned classical pianist and professor of music at Cornell University. Born in 1969 in Iowa City, Iowa, Bjerken began playing the piano at the age of five. His parents, both musicians, recognized his talent early on and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Bjerken received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Peter Takács. He then went on to earn his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Joseph Kalichstein. Throughout his career, Bjerken has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. He has appeared with numerous orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. In addition to his work as a performer, Bjerken is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Eastman School of Music, the University of Memphis, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He currently serves as a professor of music at Cornell University, where he has been on the faculty since 2007. Bjerken has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1991, he was a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He has also been a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award. One of Bjerken's most notable performances was his 2005 recital at Carnegie Hall, which was praised by The New York Times for its "impressive clarity and precision." He has also received critical acclaim for his recordings, including his 2010 album of works by American composer George Crumb. Bjerken's repertoire is diverse, ranging from classical works by Bach and Beethoven to contemporary pieces by living composers. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the music of György Ligeti, a Hungarian composer known for his avant-garde style. In addition to his work as a performer and teacher, Bjerken is also a dedicated advocate for new music. He has commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary composers, including John Harbison, Augusta Read Thomas, and Christopher Theofanidis. Overall, Xak Bjerken is a highly respected and accomplished classical pianist and educator. His dedication to both traditional and contemporary repertoire, as well as his commitment to teaching and promoting new music, have made him a valuable contributor to the world of classical music.

More....