Boris Berman (musician) facts for kids

Boris Berman is a famous Russian pianist and teacher. He was born in Moscow on April 3, 1948. He is known for his amazing piano playing and for teaching many students around the world.

The Early Life of a Musician

Boris Berman studied music at the Moscow Conservatory. This is a very famous music school in Russia. His teacher was Lev Oborin, a well-known pianist. Boris Berman played his first big concert in Moscow in 1965.

Exploring Different Music Styles

He joined a special group that played very old music. This group was one of the first of its kind in Russia. He played the harpsichord with them. At the same time, he also worked with new music composers. These included Alfred Schnittke and Edison Denisov. He was one of the first to play their music in Russia. He also introduced Russian audiences to works by composers like Arnold Schoenberg and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He performed as a guest with orchestras such as the Moscow Philharmonic.

A New Home and Teaching Career

In 1973, Boris Berman moved from the Soviet Union to Israel. Later, in 1979, he moved to the United States. There, he started teaching at several universities. These included Boston University and Indiana University. Today, he leads the Piano Department at the Yale School of Music. This is a very important job in the music world.

He also started concert series in Israel and the USA. These series helped bring great music to many people. In recent years, he has been honored by music schools in Shanghai and Copenhagen.

Performing Around the World

Boris Berman has played in many concerts and music festivals. He has performed with famous musicians like Mischa Maisky and Shlomo Mintz. He has also played with major orchestras. These include the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic.

He often teaches special classes called master classes. In these classes, he helps young pianists improve their skills. He also helps judge piano competitions around the world.

Notable Music Recordings

Boris Berman has made many recordings of his piano playing. These recordings are available on different music labels.

• He recorded all the piano sonatas by Alexander Scriabin.
• His recording of Dmitri Shostakovich's piano music won an award in the Netherlands.
• He was the first pianist to record all the solo piano works by Sergei Prokofiev. This was a huge achievement!
• He has also recorded music by Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, and John Cage. His recordings of John Cage's music were named a top recording by BBC Music Magazine.
• He recorded piano quintets by Shostakovich and Schnittke. This recording was even nominated for a Grammy Award.

Books About Piano Music

Besides playing and teaching, Boris Berman also writes books. His books help other pianists and music lovers.

• His book "Notes from the Pianist's Bench" was published in 2000.
• He also wrote "Prokofiev's Piano Sonatas: A Guide for the Listener and the Performer" in 2008. This book helps people understand Prokofiev's piano sonatas better.
• In 2011, he published a special edition of Prokofiev's piano sonatas.