The profound influence of pianist Gilbert Kalish as an educator and pianist in myriad performances and recordings has established him as a major figure in American music-making. An artist of the Chamber Music Society of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2006, he was the pianist of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players for 30 years, and was a founding member of the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, a group that flourished during the 1960s and 70s in support of new music. He is particularly known for his partnership of many years with mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani, as well as for current collaborations with soprano Dawn Upshaw and cellists Timothy Eddy and Joel Krosnik.

Mr. Kalish has given many first performances, and has had many works written for him. He gave the first solo piano recital in the newly renovated Miller Theatre at Columbia University. He has received many honors, including three Grammy Award nominations. In 1995, he was presented with the Paul Fromm Award by the University of Chicago Music Department for distinguished service to the music of our time.

As an educator and performer, he has appeared at the Banff Centre, the Steans Institute at Ravinia, the Marlboro Music Festival, and Music@ Menlo; from 1985 to 1997 he served as chairman of the Tanglewood faculty. His discography of some 100 recordings embraces both the classical and contemporary repertories; of special note are those made with Ms. DeGaetani and that of Ives’ Concord Sonata. He currently serves as a distinguished professor and Director of Performance Activities at SUNY Stony Brook. Mr. Kalish is also a member of Constellations Chamber Concerts’ Artistic Advisory Committee.