Cliburn Concert: Johannes Moser, Cello + Marc-Andre Hamelin, Piano

When “one of the finest among the astonishing gallery of young virtuoso cellists” (Gramophone) performs with a seminal pianist who “ranks among the small handful of performers in every generation whose abilities defy the imagination” (Toronto Star), the result is nothing short of magic.

Canadian cellist Johannes Moser won silver at the 2002 International Tchaikovsky Competition and has since had a phenomenal touring career, from soloing with the New York, Los Angeles, and BBC Philharmonics, as well as the orchestras of Chicago, London, Tokyo NHK, and Bayerischen Rundfunks, to chamber appearances with the likes of Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Midori, and Menahem Pressler. He’s also a prolific recording artist and a champion of new music who is heavily involved in commissioning.

Which makes this match-up all the better: Marc-André Hamelin is not only a pianist known worldwide for his unrivaled blend of consummate musicianship and brilliant technique who has performed wide-ranging repertoire in the world’s great halls, he is a well-known composer with more than 30 pieces to his name, including the commissioned work for the 2017 Cliburn Competition (where he was also a juror). His discography spans more than 70 recordings which have earned him 11 Grammy® nominations, seven Juno Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Record Critics’ Association.

This March, Johannes makes his Cliburn Concerts debut alongside Marc-André, a stalwart member of the Cliburn Family, with works by Debussy and Franck, as well as Nadia Boulanger and Hamelin himself.