Birth

:

March 24, 1930 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Russell Sherman is a renowned American classical pianist, born on January 22, 1930, in New York City. He is widely recognized for his exceptional technique, musicality, and interpretive skills. Sherman's career spans over six decades, during which he has performed extensively in the United States and abroad, recorded numerous albums, and received several prestigious awards. Sherman's musical journey began at an early age when he started playing the piano at the age of six. He showed remarkable talent and was soon enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied under the tutelage of Rosina Lhévinne. Sherman's exceptional abilities were evident from the start, and he quickly gained recognition as a prodigy. He made his debut performance at the age of ten, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major with the New York Philharmonic. Sherman continued his studies at the Juilliard School of Music, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He also studied with renowned pianists such as Eduard Steuermann and Mieczysław Horszowski. Sherman's training was rigorous, and he spent countless hours perfecting his technique and musicality. He was particularly interested in the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, and he developed a deep understanding of their music. Sherman's career took off in the 1950s when he won several prestigious awards, including the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Leventritt Competition. These awards opened doors for him, and he began performing with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also performed in Europe, Asia, and South America, gaining a reputation as one of the most talented pianists of his generation. Sherman's performances were characterized by his exceptional technique, musicality, and interpretive skills. He was known for his ability to bring out the nuances and subtleties of the music, creating a deep emotional connection with his audience. He was particularly admired for his performances of Beethoven's sonatas, which he recorded in their entirety for the first time in 1970. In addition to his performances, Sherman was also a respected teacher. He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music for over thirty years, where he mentored several generations of pianists. He was known for his rigorous teaching style, which emphasized the importance of technique, musicality, and interpretation. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists, and they credit Sherman with shaping their musical development. Sherman's career continued to flourish in the 1980s and 1990s, during which he recorded several albums and performed extensively. He was particularly interested in contemporary music and premiered several works by composers such as Elliott Carter, Charles Wuorinen, and Donald Martino. He also continued to perform the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, which remained his favorites throughout his career. Sherman's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1983, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. He was also awarded the Harvard Arts Medal in 2001, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.

More....