Recently profiled in a front-page New York Times article and praised for his "riveting" and "prodigiously accomplished and exciting" performances, Blair McMillen has established himself as one of today's most adventurous and sought-after young pianists. With a repertoire that spans six centuries, he is known for his versatility and commitment to performing the music of today. Mr. McMillen has performed throughout the US, Russia, Belarus, Netherlands, and Japan; and he serves on the piano faculty at Bard College.
Blair McMillen has established himself as one of today's most adventurous and sought-after young pianists. Critics have praised his playing as "riveting," "dazzling," and "prodigiously accomplished and exciting." Recently, Mr. McMillen was profiled in a front-page article in the New York Times Weekend Arts section and described as one of the keyboard's "brilliant young stars." Known for imaginative and daring programming, he plays a repertoire that spans from late-medieval keyboard manuscripts to the 21st century. Recent recitals include Miller Theatre's 15th-anniversary "Piano Revolution" series, the Moscow Conservatory, Caramoor, CalArts, Dartmouth College, Casals Hall (Tokyo), the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton NJ, and the Musica Antica e Nuova series at Columbia University. A 2005-2006 highlight was his Carnegie Hall debut as soloist in maestro David Robertson's final "Perspectives" series concert. Mr. McMillen's solo playing has been broadcast on "CBS-Sunday Morning," NPR, Fuji-TV (Japan), WQXR, and WNYC.
As collaborator, Mr. McMillen has performed at the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, with tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, soprano Lucy Shelton, clarinetist David Krakauer, the New York Woodwind Quintet, and with members of the Brentano, American, and Flux String Quartets. He has also appeared with the Eos Orchestra, the Locrian Chamber Players, the Amelia Piano Trio and "East Meets West," the Jose Limon Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre (piano concerto and solo appearances), Prism Players, and the New Juilliard Ensemble, among others.
Dedicated to new and groundbreaking projects, Mr. McMillen is committed to performing the music of today. A founding member of the new-music ensemble counter)induction, and pianist for the Naumburg Award-winning Da Capo Chamber Players; he has recently given US premieres of solo piano works by Frederic Rzewski and Giacinto Scelsi. Mr. McMillen has worked closely with composers such as Lee Hyla, John Harbison, George Crumb, Annie Gosfield, Eric Moe, Joan Tower, George Perle, Thomas Ades, and Ned Rorem, among others. An improviser and self-taught jazz pianist, he is regularly involved in improvisation projects ranging from the straight-ahead to the avant-garde.
A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, Mr. McMillen holds degrees from Oberlin College, Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he won the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and received the Sony ES Career Grant for Musical Excellence, a career-advancement award given to outstanding Juilliard musicians. He was the only unanimously-chosen winner in the forty-year history of the National Young Artists Competition, and was a winner of the Time-Warner Award at the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. McMillen has studied with Jerome Lowenthal, Byron Janis, Joseph Kalichstein, and Robert McDonald.
A solo CD "Soundings;" featuring music of Debussy, Scriabin, Liszt, and Bolcom; was released to critical acclaim in 2004. He has recorded for Koch International, CRI, Bridge, Albany, Centaur, Connoisseur Society, and BMG/Catalyst. Mr. McMillen resides in New York City and serves on the piano faculty at Bard College.
