Birth

:

December 27, 1929

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Susan Kagan is a renowned classical pianist and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in New York City in 1952, Kagan showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. She was a prodigious talent and quickly developed a deep love for classical music. Kagan's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher Rosina Lhevinne, who had taught some of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, including Van Cliburn and James Levine. Under Lhevinne's tutelage, Kagan developed a strong foundation in classical piano technique and repertoire. Kagan continued her musical education at the Juilliard School, where she studied with Adele Marcus and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. She then went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Constance Keene. Throughout her career, Kagan has been recognized for her exceptional talent and musicianship. She has won numerous awards and competitions, including the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition. She has also been a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition. Kagan has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. She has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians of our time, including violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One of Kagan's most notable performances was her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1980. She received critical acclaim for her performance of works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, and the New York Times praised her "impressive technique and musicality." In addition to her performing career, Kagan is also a dedicated music educator. She has taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She has also given masterclasses and workshops at universities and conservatories around the world. Kagan is known for her passionate advocacy of classical music and her commitment to bringing it to a wider audience. She has been involved in numerous outreach programs and educational initiatives, including the Young People's Concerts at the New York Philharmonic and the Music for Life program at the 92nd Street Y. Throughout her career, Kagan has recorded extensively, with over 20 albums to her name. Her recordings have received critical acclaim and have been praised for their technical precision and emotional depth. Some of her most notable recordings include her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Schumann, and Beethoven. In recognition of her contributions to the world of classical music, Kagan has received numerous honors and awards. She was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1983, and in 2015 she was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Hall of Fame. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Hartford and the University of South Carolina.

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