Birth

:

March 6, 1966 in Philadelphia, PA

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Awadagin Pratt is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with his virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born on March 6, 1966, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pratt grew up in Normal, Illinois, where he began playing the piano at the age of six. His parents, who were both educators, recognized his talent early on and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. Pratt's musical education began at the age of seven when he started taking piano lessons with his mother. He quickly showed a natural aptitude for the instrument and began performing in public soon after. By the time he was 10 years old, he had won his first competition, the Illinois State Music Teachers Association competition. Pratt continued to excel in music throughout his childhood and adolescence. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied piano with Ian Hobson and composition with Ben Johnston. He graduated with honors in 1986 and went on to earn a master's degree in piano performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1992, Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. The competition, which is held every three years, is open to pianists under the age of 35 and has launched the careers of many of today's top pianists. Pratt's victory at the Naumburg Competition was a major turning point in his career, and he quickly became recognized as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. Since then, Pratt has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony. He has also given recitals at major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Pratt is known for his passionate and deeply expressive performances, which have earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following. He is particularly admired for his interpretations of the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as for his performances of contemporary music. In addition to his performing career, Pratt is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music since 2004 and has also taught at the Peabody Conservatory, the University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois. Throughout his career, Pratt has received numerous awards and honors. In addition to his victory at the Naumburg Competition, he has been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, and the American Pianists Association's Classical Fellowship Award. He has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the University of Illinois School of Music. Pratt's recordings have also been widely praised. His debut album, "A Long Way From Normal," was released in 1994 and features works by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. He has since released several more albums, including "Live From South Africa," which features recordings from his 2001 tour of South Africa, and "Play Bach," which features his own arrangements of Bach's music. In addition to his performing and teaching work, Pratt is also a committed advocate for music education. He has worked with numerous organizations to promote music education and has served as a spokesperson for the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

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