Steven Graff

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Steven Graff
Background information
BornChicago, Illinois
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Pianist, Professor
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1984–present
Websitehttp://stevenlgraff.com

Steven Lewis Graff is a pianist and teacher of music in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Early years and education

Bill Clinton congratulates Steven Graff after a piano performance.

Steven Graff was born in Chicago where he studied piano with the late Eloise Niwa and made his debut as a soloist with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He went on to study at The Juilliard School as a Petschek Scholarship student, where his teachers included Adele Marcus, Beveridge Webster and Herbert Stessin. He received a Doctorate of Musical Arts from The Graduate School of CUNY, with a doctoral thesis entitled Chopin performance tradition and its relationship to analysis.[1][2][3][4] In 1986 he was a winner of the Juilliard School's eighth annual Gina Bachauer International Piano Scholarship Competition.[5]

Performer

Steven Graff has toured Norway, Japan and throughout the United States and Europe. He was a prizewinner in The Casadesus and Stravinsky International Competitions. He has given performances at Zankel, Weill and Stern Auditoriums at Carnegie Hall, and the Kaye Playhouse and Lang Hall at Hunter College, Alice Tully Hall and Merkin Hall[6] in New York City, and his performances have been broadcast on New York radio stations WQXR and WNCN, and Chicago's WFMT. Graff has premiered new music and recorded contemporary works on the Centaur Records and Capstone Records Labels. Solo Concerto performances include the Hunter Symphony, The University of Arizona Orchestra at Flagstaff, The New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Chamber Orchestra, The Skokie Valley Symphony and The Northshore Philharmonia.[7][8][9][10][11] He has given lecture/recitals at The Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation[12][13] and at The Aloha International Piano Festival in Hawaii.[14][15][16] Steven Graff is a Steinway Artist.

Teacher

Dr. Graff served on the faculty at New York's

Macaulay Honors College of The City University of New York. In fall 2020 he joined the faculty of the Petrie School of Music at Converse University
in Spartanburg, South Carolina, as a full-time Professor of Piano.

References

  1. ^ Ravinia Alters Lineup. Chicago Tribune July 17, 1986
  2. ^ Music News. Los Angeles Times July 8, 1984
  3. ^ Chopin performance tradition and its relationship to analysis by Graff, Steven Lewis, D.M.A., City University of New York, 1994, 123 pages; AAT 9431360
  4. ^ Maurice Hinson. The pianist's bookshelf: a practical guide to books, videos, and other resources. Indiana University Press. 1998 p94
  5. ^ Six young pianists have won the Juilliard School's eighth annual Gina Bachauer International Piano Scholarship Competition. New York Times. Section 2; Page 19, Column 4; Arts and Leisure Desk. August 3, 1986, Sunday, Late City Final Edition
  6. ^ ALLAN KOZINN. MUSIC REVIEW; An American Century (With Swiss). New York Times. March 23, 1999
  7. ^ Pianist Graff to perform here on Feb. 4. Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pa.: Jan 31, 2005. pg. 1
  8. ^ 'BrahmsFest' opens concert series. Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pa.: Oct 30, 1997. pg. 3
  9. ^ Barbara Little. Renowned violinist to return to county. Intelligencer Journal. Lancaster, Pa.: Nov 15, 1999. pg. B.1
  10. ^ Greenwich High singer wins choral society scholarship. Greenwich Time. Greenwich, Conn.: May 6, 2007. pg. B.5
  11. ^ Greenwich Choral Society Presenting musical diversity. Greenwich Time. Greenwich, Conn. Apr 25, 2007. pg. A.13
  12. ^ Fresno Bee - Sep 7, 1986
  13. ^ Bachauer loosens up and throws a party. Salt Lake City Tribune. July 16, 2007
  14. ^ TGIF. Honolulu Advertiser - Jun 16, 2006
  15. ^ MOZART SONATA HELPS CLOSE WEEKLONG FESTIVAL. Honolulu Advertiser - Jun 19, 2006
  16. ^ TGIF. Honolulu Advertiser - Jun 15, 2007