Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

John Varner was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. From a young age, Varner showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Varner's parents recognized his potential and enrolled him in the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division when he was just six years old. He studied under renowned pianist Yoheved Kaplinsky and quickly became one of her star pupils. As Varner grew older, he continued to excel in his musical studies. He attended the Juilliard School for his undergraduate degree, where he studied under the tutelage of Jerome Lowenthal. He then went on to earn his master's degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Robert McDonald. Throughout his studies, Varner received numerous awards and accolades for his musical abilities. He won the Juilliard School's Gina Bachauer Piano Competition in 2004 and the Curtis Institute of Music's Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Competition in 2008. He was also a finalist in the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2013. Varner's talent and hard work paid off, and he began to receive invitations to perform at major venues around the world. He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2006, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Juilliard Orchestra. He also performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Royal Festival Hall in London. In addition to his solo performances, Varner has also collaborated with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has also collaborated with renowned musicians such as violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Varner's repertoire is vast and includes works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Franz Liszt, and has been praised for his ability to bring out the emotional depth and complexity of Liszt's music. Despite his success, Varner remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to practice for hours each day and is always seeking to improve his skills as a musician. He is also passionate about teaching and has served as a faculty member at the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music. In recognition of his contributions to the world of classical music, Varner has received numerous awards and honors. He was named a Gilmore Young Artist in 2010, and in 2014 he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show great potential for a major career in music. Today, Varner is considered one of the most talented and promising young pianists of his generation. He continues to perform around the world and inspire audiences with his passion and artistry.

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