Jonathan Shapiro, better known by his stage name Zsolt Bognár, is a Hungarian-American pianist, musicologist, and cultural entrepreneur. Born on August 23, 1984, in Budapest, Hungary, Bognár grew up in a family of musicians. His father, a composer, and his mother, a pianist, instilled in him a love for classical music from a young age. Bognár began playing the piano at the age of four and gave his first public performance at the age of six. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. He also studied musicology at the University of Vienna and the University of California, Los Angeles. Bognár's talent as a pianist was recognized early on in his career. In 2003, he won first prize at the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Budapest, and in 2005, he was a finalist at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Hungarian National Philharmonic, the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. In addition to his career as a performer, Bognár is also a respected musicologist. He has written extensively on the music of Franz Liszt and has given lectures and masterclasses on Liszt's music around the world. He is the author of the book "The Complete Liszt: A Guide to the Piano Works," which has been praised for its comprehensive and insightful analysis of Liszt's music. Bognár is also a cultural entrepreneur who has founded several organizations dedicated to promoting classical music. In 2011, he founded the Piano School of New York City, which provides high-quality piano instruction to students of all ages and levels. He also founded the New York Piano Festival, which showcases the talents of young pianists from around the world. One of Bognár's most notable achievements as a cultural entrepreneur is the creation of the Living the Classical Life web series. The series, which he hosts and produces, features interviews with some of the world's most renowned classical musicians, including Lang Lang, Yuja Wang, and Joshua Bell. The series has been praised for its engaging and informative content and has garnered a large following on social media. Bognár's career has been marked by numerous highlights and accolades. In 2013, he was named a Steinway Artist, joining a prestigious group of pianists who are recognized for their excellence in performance. In 2015, he was awarded the Liszt Society's Medal of Honor for his contributions to the study and performance of Liszt's music. Bognár's performances and recordings have also received critical acclaim. His recording of Liszt's "Transcendental Etudes" was praised by Gramophone magazine for its "technical brilliance and interpretive insight." His performance of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata at the 2016 New York Piano Festival was described by The New York Times as "a tour de force of pianistic virtuosity and intellectual depth." In addition to his work as a performer, musicologist, and cultural entrepreneur, Bognár is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. His students have gone on to win prizes at international piano competitions and have been accepted into some of the world's most prestigious music schools.

More....