Biography of Nicholas Zumbro
A pianist whose embrace of a wide and unusual repertoire has earned him international acclaim, Nicholas Zumbro has concertised throughout the USA and in Europe, as well as in China, Russia and Mexico. His recording for MHS of the Liszt Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic became a best seller, and his CD of Granados's complete "Goyescas", along with the sonatas of Barber and Ives were released in England to the highest critical praise.
Mr. Zumbro presented the historic premieres of the Concord Sonata of Ives in several European countries, and his solo performances of the music of Liszt won standing ovations at Lincoln Center. Early in his career, the New York Times singled out his Bach as exemplary. Appearances on the NBC, CBS and ABC television networks followed.
In recent years, Mr. Zumbro has performed frequently in the US and aboard. In 1995, he opened the "Conciertos de Autuno" in Sonora, Mexico, a concert broadcast live on Mexican television and radio. The following year, Boesendorfer Pianos sponsored his solo debut in Vienna. Shortly after, as an official guest of the Peoples Republic of China, he gave solo concerts Beijing and Shanghai, as well as master classes in the renowned conservatories of those ancient cities. In 1997, he performed the complete "Goyescas" cycle in Paris, and appeared at the Tsar's Palace in St Petersburg. In fall 2000, he performed in South Korea and Hawaii.
A senior professor at the University of Arizona school of Music, Mr. Zumbro has taught at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, the University of Hawaii, as well as in Greece and England. While a student at Juilliard, he studied with Mme. Rosina Lhevinne and was distinguished by "Piano Magazine" as one of her most important students. He has also studied with Nadia Boulanger, Marcus W. Rose, Johana Harris, Yvonne LeFebure, Nicholas Slominsky and others. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Debussy Prize, the Bach Society Fellowship, and grants from the government of France.
A prolific composer as well as pianist, Mr. Zumbro's opera "Kassandra" was given its world premiere in Athens in 1990. He also directed the Pacific Pianism Symposium and the Festival fo the Arts of this Century, both in Honolulu.