To learn more about Robert Hamilton, please visit www.roberthamiltonpianist.com

As an internationally known pianist and recording artist, Robert Hamilton was reviewed by two former “Chief” Music Critics of the New York Times. Harold C. Schonberg (author of The Great Pianists) wrote: “Hamilton is a very fine artist. All of his playing has color and sensitivity…one of the best of the million or so around.” And Donal J. Henahan (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism) reported: “It was an enthralling listening experience. We must hear this major piano talent again, and soon!”

Hamilton began piano lessons at age three after being discovered playing by ear the pieces he overheard his mother playing. His father was a highly skilled jazz clarinetist hailing from a line of band directors in Scotland. Hamilton became fluent on three instruments - piano, clarinet and bassoon - performing as soloist the first movements of the Grieg and Tchaikovsky piano concertos and the clarinet and bassoon concertos of Mozart. He went on to study at Indiana University with the first winner of the Levintritt Competition, Sidney Foster, and graduated summa cum laude after winning the University concerto competition in his sophomore and senior years. For the next three years he resided in Washington, D.C. as pianist for the US Army Chorus and soloist with the US Army Band, performing frequently at the State Department and White House. During this time he also launched his solo career, appearing with the National Symphony Orchestra and on the recital series of the National Gallery, Phillips Collection, and Corcoran Art Gallery. The first of three Rockefeller grants prompted a move to New York City, where he studied with Dora Zaslavsky of the Manhattan School and received coaching from Vladimir Horowitz. Several State Department grants led to prizes at five international piano competitions.

Mr. Hamilton has made concert tours of four continents, appearing in the major halls of many music capitals. His orchestral engagements have included the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, S.O.D.R.E in Montevideo, etc. He has been heard over radio networks NPR, ABC, BBC London, Voice of America, Armed Forces Network, DRS Zurich, Radio Warsaw, and Russian television in a telecast from St. Petersburg. His recordings for Phillips, Orion, Summit and Soundset Records have brought praise from various publications. Two examples from American Record Guide: “I never expected to hear anyone play Mozart so sensitively in this day and age. Almost unbelievable beauty. The perfect recording of Mozart’s piano music”, and “A world of expression and feeling rarely encountered. With his sound of great depth and unmatchable performances, this CD becomes a revelation.” From Fanfare: “The caliber of his artistry and the remarkable acuity of his insight are unique in my experiences…a creative achievement of great magnitude.” In 2018 the Chinese publication Classics Overseas placed one of Hamilton’s CDs on its list of Ten Top Classical Albums, adding “Hamilton’s greatness includes a masterful control of piano sonorities. His Miroirs is unquestionably on par with any historically best interpretation. Hamilton is a rare Ravel specialist.”

Professor Hamilton has served on the faculties of Indiana, Wichita State and Arizona State universities, and was included in the book The Most Wanted Piano Teachers in the USA. He has given masterclasses worldwide, including prominent music schools and conservatories of Korea and the U.S. His students have won prestigious prizes in competition such as the Sydney International, Los Angeles International, Bösendorfer International and the America Prize. Some have appeared as soloist with major orchestras, including the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Mariinsky of St. Petersburg, Montreal, Royal Philharmonic, Seoul, Sydney, Shanghai, London, Melbourne and Mexico City, and one is under recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Many hold professorships in conservatories and music schools, including Arizona State University, University of Texas, Universidad de los Andes, University of Augsburg, Yonsei University and Shanghai Conservatory.

Robert Hamilton served as Artistic Director for The London Piano Festival during the 1990s and assisted Vladimir Feltsman in establishing the renowned PianoSummer Festival in New York where he teaches every July. His recent co-authored book (with Robert W. Demaree) Artistry: Pursuing the Mysteries of Music Performance is available through Amazon and bookstores. A translated version is under contract for publication in China by the Shanghai Music Publishing House.