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Garrick Ohlsson

Garrick Ohlsson is an American classical pianist, born on April 3, 1948, in , best known as the only American to win the gold medal at the in 1970. A native of , he began studies at age eight at the Westchester Conservatory of Music and entered the at age thirteen, where he studied under teachers including , Sascha Gorodnitzki, and . Ohlsson has built a distinguished international career, performing as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide and giving recitals celebrated for their technical mastery and interpretive depth, particularly in the works of , , , and composers such as and . He has collaborated with renowned ensembles like the , , , and Takács String Quartets, and in vocal recitals with artists including and Ewa Podleś. His repertoire encompasses over eighty concertos, including contemporary works such as the premiere of "Oceans Apart" in the . A prolific recording artist, Ohlsson has released extensive discographies on labels including Arabesque, RCA Victor, Hyperion, and Bridge Records, featuring complete cycles of Beethoven's piano sonatas (earning a Grammy Award for Volume 3), Chopin's complete works, and Alexander Scriabin's piano sonatas. Among his honors are the Avery Fisher Prize in 1994, the University Musical Society Distinguished Artist Award in 1998, the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in 2014, and Poland's Gloria Artis Gold Medal in 2018; he also chaired the jury for the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in October 2025, under whose leadership American pianist Eric Lu won the first prize—the first American victor since Ohlsson himself in 1970. As a dedicated educator, he serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and co-founded the FOG Trio with violinist Jorja Fleezanis and cellist Michael Grebanier.

Early Life and Education

Family and Childhood

Garrick Ohlsson was born on April 3, 1948, in , as the only child of Alvar Ohlsson, a immigrant who arrived in the United States after , and a Sicilian-American mother. The family's blended and Italian-American influences, but there was no strong tradition of professional music-making among relatives; Ohlsson's parents themselves had taken lessons as children and viewed musical as a valuable pursuit akin to learning a , fostering a general appreciation for the arts through exposure to recordings and concerts rather than intensive specialization. Ohlsson's interest in music emerged early, as he recalls picking out simple tunes on the family piano by age three, though formal instruction began at age eight with teacher Tom Lishman at the Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, New York, where his self-directed enthusiasm quickly took hold. The family relocated from Bronxville to White Plains during his early childhood, settling in the New York suburbs, which provided a supportive environment for his budding musical pursuits before advancing to more structured conservatory training.

Formal Training

Ohlsson began his formal piano training at the Westchester Conservatory of Music at age eight, but his structured institutional education commenced in 1961 at age 13, when he enrolled in the Preparatory Division of in . There, he studied under the renowned pedagogue Sascha Gorodnitzki, who provided five years of intensive guidance focused on building technical proficiency and . Gorodnitzki, a Juilliard faculty member since 1948, instilled in Ohlsson a disciplined approach to piano study, drawing from his own school traditions. As Ohlsson advanced, he transitioned to the Juilliard School's main division, later beginning studies with . Lhévinne, celebrated for her pedagogical lineage and emphasis on technique, helped Ohlsson refine his command of the instrument while expanding his repertoire, particularly in the era works that would define his early development. Under her tutelage, Ohlsson honed skills in phrasing, touch, and interpretive depth, preparing him for the demands of professional performance. He also studied privately with Olga Barabini and Irma Wolpe. He remained at Juilliard through his later student years, balancing rigorous coursework with targeted practice. Complementing his Juilliard education, Ohlsson sought additional mentorship from , whose profound insights into Romantic composers profoundly influenced his artistic maturation. Arrau's lessons, though not part of a formal program, emphasized structural integrity and emotional nuance in works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Chopin, shaping Ohlsson's lifelong affinity for the Romantic repertoire. In 1971, Ohlsson earned his degree from Juilliard, having prioritized competition preparation in his final years while solidifying his technical and interpretive foundations.

Career

Early Competitions and Breakthrough

Ohlsson achieved his first major international recognition at the age of 18 by winning first prize at the 1966 in , , while still enrolled in the pre-college division at the . This victory marked an early breakthrough for the young American pianist in a field dominated by European competitors. Two years later, Ohlsson further solidified his emerging reputation with a first-prize win at the 1968 International Musical Competition, where the 20-year-old Juilliard student received the top award of $10,000 CAD after outperforming 11 finalists, including two other Americans. The competition, held at , highlighted his technical prowess and interpretive depth, drawing attention from North American audiences and critics. Ohlsson's career reached a defining pinnacle in 1970 at the Eighth International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in , where the 22-year-old became the first—and to date, only—American to claim the gold medal. The international jury, chaired by Polish composer and educator Kazimierz Sikorski and including prominent figures such as Guido Agosti and Monique Haas, deliberated for over three hours before announcing the results at 2 A.M. on October 25. Ohlsson performed a comprehensive of Chopin's works, notably earning additional prizes for the best rendition of a and the best performance of a , including Chopin's No. 1 in , Op. 11. His triumph elicited immediate and widespread media coverage, with thunderous applause and a at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall, followed by enthusiastic crowds swarming backstage and requests for two encore performances that week plus a 1971 Polish tour. The Chopin victory propelled Ohlsson into professional prominence, culminating in his U.S. debut with the later that year, where he performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in , Op. 11, to critical acclaim in his first American appearance since the win. This engagement, under the baton of a major orchestra, signified the launch of his international performing career.

Performing Career

Following his victory at the 1970 , Garrick Ohlsson embarked on a prolific performing career, beginning with major orchestral debuts in the early 1970s. He made his debut in February 1971 under , performing Handel's Organ Concerto in F major, Op. 4, No. 4 (adapted for ), and has since appeared regularly with the , including a 2011 performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9, K. 271. Similarly, Ohlsson debuted with the in spring 1971 and has maintained a longstanding association, with notable engagements such as an all-Mozart program at the in August 2025 under Louis Langrée. His collaborations extend to other premier orchestras worldwide, including the , (where he first appeared in 1971 and returned for over 30 engagements), , , , , and . Ohlsson's international tours have spanned , , and the , with nearly a dozen visits to since 1970, reflecting his deep connection to Chopin repertoire. In , he undertook a three-week tour with the in recent years, while European engagements include solo recitals in and . Across the , he has performed extensively in the United States and , including a 2025 duo tour with violist Richard O’Neill featuring stops in , Charlottesville, St. Paul, and New York’s . These tours underscore his global demand, with appearances in prestigious venues from ’s Opera House to ’s Philharmonic Hall. Key collaborations highlight Ohlsson's versatility in orchestral and chamber settings. He has worked with conductors such as on Rachmaninoff's No. 3 at in 2011, Robert Spano with the , and Sir at the Grand Teton Music Festival. In , Ohlsson has partnered with ensembles including the Takács, , Emerson, and Tokyo String Quartets, as well as vocalists like and Ewa Podleś in recitals. Festival performances further define his career, with regular appearances at the Mostly Festival (including Beethoven's No. 1 in 2005 and 's No. 23 in 2012) and the , where he has presented multi-recital cycles. In recent years, Ohlsson has sustained an active schedule into 2025, balancing orchestral solos and recitals. He served as guest soloist with the in October and November 2025, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, K. 488, under at Hall. Earlier that year, in May 2025, he presented an all-Chopin solo recital at the Lobero Theatre in , closing the Community Arts Music Association's season. Additional 2025 engagements included a performance with the and his role as chair of the jury for the 19th in . These activities affirm Ohlsson's enduring presence on the international stage at age 77.

Teaching and Academic Roles

Garrick Ohlsson joined the faculty of the Conservatory of Music in 1996, where he has contributed to through masterclasses and private instruction tailored to developing pianists. His teaching at the conservatory focuses on applied lessons, helping students refine their skills in a supportive environment. Ohlsson has also served as a guest teacher at prestigious institutions, including the Royal Academy of Music in . His guest engagements highlight a holistic that prioritizes , physical , and artistic intention over isolated technical drills. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, Ohlsson is not accepting new students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, concentrating instead on a select group of advanced pupils to provide in-depth guidance.

Repertoire and Interpretive Approach

Specialization in Chopin

Garrick Ohlsson's engagement with Frédéric Chopin's oeuvre has been profound since his victory at the 1970 , where he became the first American winner, establishing the composer as a lifelong interpretive . This triumph prompted Ohlsson to commit to performing and recording all of Chopin's works, culminating in a comprehensive 16-disc survey recorded between 1989 and 2000, originally issued by Arabesque and re-released by Hyperion in 2008, encompassing solo piano pieces, , songs, and orchestral collaborations. Ohlsson views Chopin not merely as a staple but as a philosophical anchor, emphasizing the composer's innovation in transforming the piano into a vehicle for vocal expressivity and structural elegance. Ohlsson's technical approach to Chopin delves into the composer's nuanced devices, particularly rubato, pedaling, and nationalistic inflections, which he interprets as integral to the music's emotional and cultural depth. He describes Chopin's rubato as a vocal phenomenon, with a steady left-hand supporting a flexible, —evident in the fluid triplets of the Fantaisie in , Op. 49, where rhythmic elasticity evokes Italian arias without disrupting underlying pulse. Pedaling, in Ohlsson's view, serves as Chopin's tool for harmonic layering and sonic clarity, expanding the left hand's role beyond mere support; for instance, in the in , Op. 27 No. 2, he follows Chopin's explicit markings to sustain resonance over the opening measures, creating an ethereal blend that enhances the work's lyrical intimacy. Nationalistic elements, drawn from traditions, are highlighted in genres like the mazurkas and polonaises, where Ohlsson accentuates rhythmic asymmetries and modal inflections—for example, the patterns in the in , Op. 17 No. 4, to evoke peasant dances, and the martial vigor in the in , Op. 53, underscoring Chopin's patriotic fervor. In the Études, such as Op. 25 No. 11 ("Winter Wind"), Ohlsson balances virtuosic demands with interpretive poise, treating rapid passages as organic extensions of Chopin's vocal imagination rather than mere displays. Through public lectures and media, Ohlsson has shared his insights into Chopin's historical milieu and editorial choices, fostering deeper appreciation among audiences. In his 2010 lecture "Why Chopin? and Other Questions" at the , he explored the composer's lifespan amid the piano's evolution—from early instruments like the Pleyel to modern Steinways—and advocated for editions that preserve Chopin's original intentions, such as those championed by Brahms in the 19th-century Gesamtausgabe. Complementing this, The Chopin Podcast, launched in October 2024 in partnership with the Chopin Foundation of the and hosted by Ben Laude, features Ohlsson dissecting forms like the preludes, nocturnes, and ballades, addressing performance editions, historical performance practices on period instruments, and interpretive challenges rooted in Chopin's salon-oriented career. Over five decades, Ohlsson's Chopin interpretations have evolved from the vigorous intensity of his post-1970 youth—shaped by influences like Arthur Rubinstein's warmth and Vladimir Horowitz's kinetic energy—to a mature subtlety that uncovers layered subtleties through repeated study and life experience. In recent reflections, such as those during his role as jury chair for the 2025 International Chopin Piano Competition, he notes how age brings greater command of Chopin's structural tensions, allowing for more nuanced emotional restraint in works like the Nocturnes, where early recordings might emphasize drama while later ones prioritize introspective poise. This progression underscores Ohlsson's belief in Chopin's music as a living dialogue, continually revealing new depths.

Exploration of Other Composers

While renowned for his Chopin interpretations, Garrick Ohlsson has demonstrated remarkable versatility through complete cycles of Beethoven's piano sonatas, performed at festivals such as and Ravinia, and recorded in multiple volumes on Bridge Records, where his approach highlights the works' architectural depth and dynamic contrasts. His performances emphasize Beethoven's structural innovations, balancing intellectual rigor with expressive warmth, as evident in recordings of late sonatas like Op. 111, praised for their profound emotional resonance and technical precision. Ohlsson's engagement with Mozart extends to key piano concertos, including Nos. 23 in , K. 488, and 27 in , K. 595, which he has performed with orchestras like the under , showcasing his command of the composer's elegant phrasing and transparent textures. These interpretations reveal Mozart's symphonic dialogue between soloist and ensemble, with Ohlsson's recordings underscoring the concertos' lyrical serenity and dramatic poise. In chamber and orchestral settings, Ohlsson has explored Bach's polyphonic masterpieces, such as the , recorded on Bridge Records, where his playing achieves crystalline structural clarity amid intricate . Similarly, his renditions of Schubert's piano sonatas, including D. 537 and D. 959 on , illuminate the composer's introspective and formal expansiveness, blending robustness with subtle color shifts. For Liszt, Ohlsson's multi-volume recordings on Bridge delve into transcriptions and original works, emphasizing the composer's virtuosic architecture through clear voicing of inner lines and dramatic propulsion. Ohlsson's advocacy for 20th-century composers includes significant engagements with American innovators like and , as well as , reflecting his commitment to broadening the piano repertoire. His performances of Janáček's Sonata 1.X.1905 at the Festival capture the work's raw emotional intensity and folk-infused rhythms, marking a recent addition to his programs that highlights the composer's modernist edge. Through these selections, Ohlsson promotes American music's experimental spirit, drawing parallels to Ives's polytonal explorations and Grainger's rhythmic vitality in concert cycles dedicated to national heritage. Over his career, Ohlsson's repertoire has evolved from a Romantic core to embrace contemporary works, particularly in the 2000s and 2020s, with rare premieres of 21st-century pieces that underscore his adaptability. A pivotal example is his 2023 premiere of Justin Dello Joio's piano concerto Oceans Apart, commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and recorded on Bridge Records, where Ohlsson navigates its oceanic vastness and evocative orchestration with commanding presence. This shift illustrates his philosophical approach to repertoire expansion, prioritizing structural integrity and innovative expression in modern contexts.

Recordings and Discography

Complete Cycles and Major Projects

Garrick Ohlsson's comprehensive recording of Frédéric Chopin's complete works, originally produced for Arabesque Recordings in the late 1990s, was reissued by in 2008 as a 16-disc boxed set titled The Complete Works (CDS44351/66). This edition encompasses all of Chopin's solo piano compositions, including the sonatas, preludes, études, ballades, scherzos, polonaises, nocturnes, waltzes, and mazurkas, alongside the two piano concertos, chamber works such as the and , and vocal pieces with piano accompaniment. The recordings, made between 1989 and 2000, highlight Ohlsson's meticulous approach to Chopin's oeuvre, capturing the composer's idiomatic phrasing and structural depth across more than 200 individual pieces. Ohlsson's traversal of Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, issued on Bridge Records from 2006 to 2012, forms a nine-disc cycle that integrates earlier volumes begun on Arabesque. Spanning sonatas from the early Op. 2 set to the late Op. 111, the project demonstrates Ohlsson's command of Beethoven's evolving stylistic demands, with volumes released progressively to allow for interpretive refinement over time. Volume 3 (BRIDGE 9207), featuring sonatas Opp. 2 No. 3, 14 No. 1, 14 No. 2, and 79, earned Ohlsson a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without ) in 2008. Among Ohlsson's early recording projects for Arabesque Recordings in the 1980s and 1990s, several focused on Ferruccio Busoni's compositions and transcriptions, including the 1989 release of Busoni's Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39, with Christoph von Dohnányi and the Cleveland Orchestra (Z6601). These efforts also encompassed Romantic rarities, such as selections from Busoni's transcriptions of Bach and Liszt, alongside other 19th-century works like Debussy's Études and Suite Bergamasque (Z6601, 1990), emphasizing Ohlsson's interest in virtuoso arrangements and lesser-known repertoire from the Romantic era. The Arabesque Zyx sublabel facilitated distribution of these recordings, which showcased high-fidelity engineering to preserve the dynamic range of Ohlsson's Bösendorfer instrument.

Recent Releases and Collaborations

In August 2025, Garrick Ohlsson released a live recording of Mozart's No. 27 in , K. 595, performed with the under the direction of , paired with the composer's Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201. Captured during performances at Severance Hall in March 2024, the digital album emphasizes Ohlsson's poised and introspective approach to Mozart's valedictory concerto, showcasing crystalline phrasing and subtle dynamic shading in dialogue with the orchestra's refined accompaniment. Ohlsson maintains an ongoing partnership with , highlighted by the 2008 reissue of his Chopin complete works and recordings such as the 2020 album of quintets by and with the Takács String Quartet (CDA68295). In May 2023, Ohlsson released a three-disc set of Beethoven's complete concertos with the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra conducted by on Reference Recordings (FR-751), recorded live in 2022 and praised for its interpretive depth and technical precision. Digital initiatives have further extended Ohlsson's reach, notably through his contributions to The Chopin Podcast, launched in by the Chopin Foundation of the . In multiple episodes across Seasons 1 and 2, Ohlsson offers analytical commentary and integrated audio excerpts from his recordings and live 2025 performances, such as breakdowns of the preludes, waltzes, and nocturnes, timed with events surrounding the 2025 where he served as jury chair.

Awards and Honors

Competition Victories

Garrick Ohlsson's early competition successes established him as a formidable young . In 1966, at the age of 18, he secured first prize at the in , , along with opportunities for a 10-concert tour across the country. This victory highlighted his technical prowess and interpretive depth, as noted by competition organizers who praised his performances of required repertoire including works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. Two years later, in 1968, Ohlsson claimed the gold medal at the International Piano Competition, receiving the top prize of $10,000 CAD. The event emphasized Canadian musical contributions, requiring finalists to perform contemporary works by local composers; Ohlsson excelled in the final round with Rachmaninoff's and the premiere of "Musique Concertante" by Canadian composer George Fiala. Jury members, including Phil Hart from Juilliard, commended his ability to produce a powerful sound without excessive force, underscoring his natural strength and musical maturity at age 20. Ohlsson's most prestigious achievement came in 1970 at the VIII International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in , where he became the first—and to date, only— winner, taking the top prize of 60,000 zlotys (approximately $2,500 USD at the time), along with special awards for the best performance of a and the best rendition. The competition's was strictly limited to Chopin's works, including 18 etudes, a , nocturnes, and a in the finals; Ohlsson's interpretation of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in , Op. 11, drew thunderous applause and multiple encores, impressing the international jury chaired by Polish pianist Zbigniew Drzewiecki. The jury deliberated for over three hours before announcing the results at 2 a.m., reflecting the intense competition among 81 entrants from 22 countries, with Ohlsson's poised, aristocratic demeanor and technical command cited as decisive factors. Following his 1970 triumph, Ohlsson did not enter any further major international competitions, transitioning instead to a prominent performing career that leveraged these early accolades.

Lifetime Achievements and Recent Recognitions

In 1994, Garrick Ohlsson received the Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious honors for American classical musicians, recognizing his exceptional career achievements in performance and interpretation. In 1998, Ohlsson received the University Musical Society Distinguished Artist Award. Ohlsson's recording accomplishments earned him a Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra), specifically for his rendition of Beethoven's piano sonatas, Volume 3, on Bridge Records. In 2014, he was awarded the , including a $50,000 prize and residency at . In 2018, the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage conferred upon him the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit to Culture, honoring his profound contributions to Polish musical heritage, particularly through his interpretations of Chopin's works. A landmark recognition came in 2025 when Ohlsson was appointed chairman of the jury for the XIX International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, marking the first time a non-Polish national held the role in the event's history; his selection was announced in July 2025 by the National Fryderyk Chopin Institute, citing his unparalleled expertise as the sole American winner of the 1970 competition. During the October 2025 inaugural conference, Ohlsson emphasized the jury's commitment to artistic integrity amid evolving global participation, and in subsequent November interviews, he discussed the challenges of extended deliberations. In 2022, he was named Honorary Chairman of the Chopin Foundation of the United States, a lifetime achievement role celebrating his enduring dedication to Chopin's legacy.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Garrick Ohlsson has been in a long-term relationship with Robert Guter, a historic preservationist, since the early , whom he refers to as his husband. By 1995, the couple was living together in a spacious apartment, where Guter maintained his professional base in . In a 2022 , Ohlsson described their partnership as enduring nearly four decades, crediting Guter for providing essential emotional support during challenging periods, such as the when tours were canceled and home life became a source of comfort. Ohlsson is openly . He has served as Honorary Chairman of the board of the Chopin Foundation of the .

Residence and Interests

In 1996, Garrick Ohlsson relocated to , establishing it as his full-time residence after falling in love with the city's vibrant cultural scene during an early visit in 1972. He chose the location partly for its proximity to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he serves on the . As of 2025, Ohlsson continues to make his home in with Guter, north of Market Street near the district. Ohlsson appreciates the area's local amenities, including a nearby fitness center and favored restaurants like Canela and Zuni Café, which contribute to his sense of community upon returning from frequent travels. Beyond his musical pursuits, Ohlsson maintains diverse interests in the , particularly theater and , as well as , which he engages with through regular reading. His passion for travel stems from an extensive career that has taken him across continents, including early tours behind the and recent visits to and , fostering a broad appreciation for global cultures. He also collects rare musical scores and enjoys attending non-classical events, recalling youthful experiences at venues like East that broadened his artistic horizons. Ohlsson's daily routines emphasize balance, incorporating several hours of dedicated practice with personal enrichment activities such as reading—often including biographies of composers—and wellness pursuits like biking through urban parks to maintain physical and mental .

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