SANDRO RUSSO’s playing has often been described as a throwback to the grand tradition of elegant pianism and beautiful sound. Abbey Simon praised him as “an artist to his fingertips—musical, intuitive, and a master of the instrument,” and composer Lowell Liebermann wrote: “Sandro Russo is a musician’s musician and a pianist’s pianist. There is no technical challenge too great for him, but it is his musicianship that ultimately makes the greatest impression. His interpretations reveal a unique and profound artist at work.”
He has also gained attention for an extensive repertoire that is comprised not only of well-known masterpieces from all periods but also of rarities of the piano literature. His virtuoso performances of works by Cziffra, Sorabji, Marc-André Hamelin, and other composer-pianists have enthralled music lovers from around the world. He has also premiered compositions by Lowell Liebermann, Paul Moravec, and Marc-André Hamelin.
Born in San Giovanni Gemini, Italy, Mr. Russo displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age. He later entered the V. Bellini Conservatory in Palermo (now the A. Scarlatti Conservatory), from which he graduated summa cum laude, and also earned the Pianoforte Performing Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London with honors.
Soon after moving to the United States in 2000, he won the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition and has since performed in such prestigious concert halls as Weill and Zankel Halls at Carnegie Hall, Kilbourn Hall (Eastman Theatre), Moores Opera House, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salle Cortot in Paris, Teatro Politeama in Palermo, the Konzerthaus Berlin, and Stoller Hall in Manchester (UK).
His recitals include performances for The Rachmaninoff Society, the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago, the American Liszt Society, the Houston International Piano Festival, the Husum Festival of Piano Rarities in Germany, Chetham’s International Piano Festival in Manchester (UK), the Fernando Laires Series at Eastman Theatre, Sincronìa Musica Arte Bellezza in Rome, and the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe in London.
He has appeared as a soloist with the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava, the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida, and the Brussels Chamber Orchestra in the opening gala of the Music Festival of the Hamptons. He has toured with the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana in performances of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto and was the featured soloist with the New York Asian Symphony on a tour of Japan. He is also a sought-after collaborator, having recently performed with the world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo in her sold-out 40th Anniversary Concert at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to his piano career, Mr. Russo is an accomplished organist who has appeared at venues such as Saint-Ouen in Rouen, the Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C., Princeton University Chapel, and the Mother Church in Boston, among others. In May 2019, he launched a unique project across the country featuring Franz Liszt’s two Weimar masterpieces—the Piano Sonata in B minor and the organ Fantasy on Ad nos, ad salutarem undam—in piano–organ double-bill recitals.
Mr. Russo’s piano discography includes the albums Scarlatti Recreated, Russian Gems, Images et Mirages – Hommage à Debussy, Chopin – Late Masterpieces, and Rachmaninov – Solo Piano Works, the last three of which were released on the Steinway & Sons label. These recordings have drawn rave reviews from major classical music magazines such as Italy’s Classic Voice (“Disc of the Month”) and Gramophone. On May 3, 2024, Steinway released to critical acclaim Mr. Russo’s recording of Franz Liszt’s 12 Transcendental Etudes. His performances have been featured on major radio stations in the US and abroad.
Sandro Russo is a Steinway Artist. www.sandrorussopianist.com
