Robert Hamilton

Biography

Internationally respected pianist Robert Hamilton has been praised by two Head Music Critics of the New York Times. Harold C. Schonberg (author of The Great Pianists) wrote: “Robert Hamilton is a very fine artist. All of his playing has color and sensitivity…one of the best of the million or so around.” And Donal J. Henahan (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished music criticism) reported following an appearance with the Chicago Symphony, “It was an enthralling listening experience. We must hear this major piano talent again, and soon!” Hamilton launched his professional solo career while serving as pianist for the US Army Band and Chorus in Washington DC, appearing with the National Symphony Orchestra as well as on the concert series of the National Gallery, Phillips Collection, and Corcoran. He was later the recipient of three Rockefeller and five State Department grants and took prizes at five international piano competitions.

Mr. Hamilton has made concert tours of four continents, appearing in major halls of leading music capitals such as the Great Hall of Russia’s Moscow Conservatory where his playing was greeted with a ten-minute standing ovation. His solo orchestral schedule has included the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, and S.O.D.R.E Orchestra in Montevideo. He has been heard over radio networks NPR, ABC, BBC London, Voice of America, Armed Forces Network, DRS Zurich, Radio Warsaw, and also Russian television from St. Petersburg. His recordings for Phillips, Orion, Summit and Soundset Records have brought praise from various publications, such as the American Record Guide (“I never expected to hear anyone play Mozart so sensitively in this day and age…almost unbelievable beauty and the perfect recording of Mozart’s piano music,” and Fanfare (“The caliber of his artistry and remarkable acuity of his insights are unique in my experiences, offering a creative achievement of great magnitude.”). The publication Classics Overseas (China) placed a Hamilton CD on its list of The Ten Top Classical Albums (2018), writing, “Hamilton’s greatness starts with his masterful control of piano sonorities. His interpretation of Ravel’s Miroirs is unquestionably equal to any ‘historically best’ recording.”

As music professor, Hamilton has served on the faculties of Indiana University, Wichita State and Arizona State universities, and was featured in the book The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the USA. He has given masterclasses worldwide, including prominent music schools and conservatories of Europe, China, Korea and the U.S. His students have won prizes in world competition and have also appeared as soloist with major orchestras, such as the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Mariinsky of St. Petersburg, Montreal, Royal Philharmonic, Seoul, Sydney, Shanghai, London, Melbourne and Mexico City. Many of his students hold professorships in conservatories and music schools, including Shanghai Conservatory, Arizona State University, University of Texas, Universidad de los Andes, University of Augsburg, and Yonsei University.
Robert Hamilton was also Artistic Director for the International London Piano Festival during the 1990s, and later joined with Vladimir Feltsman in establishing the international PianoSummer Festival in New York where he has taught for 24 years. His recent co-authored book, Artistry: Pursuing the Mysteries of Music Performance, is available through Amazon and U.S. bookstores, and a translated version has been published in China by the Shanghai Music Publishing House. For information and performance samples, please visit the website: roberthamiltonpianist.com

SPECIALTIES:
Performance anxiety
Free techniques
Sound production
Sounding spontaneous
Achieving balance
Imaginative pedaling
Intelligent pacing
Classical, Romantic, Impressionism, 20th Century styles

LANGUAGES:
English