Christopher Falzone, Piano

Biography

Award-winning pianist Christopher Falzone began studying piano at age four and composing at age six.  At age nine, he made his debut with the Disney Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra on national television after winning a competition sponsored by the Young Musicians Foundation.  He has since appeared as a soloist, a chamber player, and with orchestras in numerous venues.  In 2002, he made both his solo and orchestral debuts in Tokyo, Japan.  Recent appearances include performances at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, the Banff Music Festival, the Swiss Embassy, and at the Ravinia Festival, where he is currently a participant in the Steans Institute for Young Artists for his second summer.

Described by critics as a "brilliant and intense" young pianist "with a profound love and understanding of music," Falzone has garnered many awards for his musical artistry.  Most recently, he received the prestigious Gilmore Young Artist Award.  In 2002, he was one of two young American musicians named as a Davidson Fellow for extraordinary achievement in music.  Other noteworthy awards include first prize in both the national High School and Junior High School Piano Competitions sponsored by the National Music Teachers Association, second prize in the International Stravinsky Piano Competition, second prize in the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and a "Best in Festival" award in the "Virtuosi of the Year 2000" music festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Radio and television credits include From the Top, a national radio broadcast featuring young American musicians, Good Morning America, and the PBS TV series, Musical Encounters.

A dedicated chamber player since the age of 10, Falzone has been a member of several award-winning ensembles.  In 2001, his Chicago-based ensemble, the Favrile Quartet, performed at Carnegie Hall after being selected by Isaac Stern to participate in his three-week workshop.  His ensemble, the Orion Trio, received first prize in the 2002 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.  Falzone also plays the violin and was the concertmaster of his school orchestra for several years.

Mr. Falzone grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he studied with Julian Martin at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. and also with Dr. Joanne Kong, his teacher since age four.  Last fall he entered the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studies with Leon Fleischer and Claude Frank.