Harold Protsman Classical Period Piano Competition:About Lambert Orkis

Lambert Orkis, Pianist

The musical interests of Lambert Orkis encompass traditional and contemporary music performed on modern and period instruments. His substantial career includes more than ten years of international touring as a partner with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. For almost twenty-five years, the celebrated duo of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis has appeared to capacity audiences in the finest performance venues. The duo's recordings and DVDs for Deutsche Grammophon include complete sonatas by Mozart (Choc de l'année), Beethoven (Grammy Award) and Brahms. Their 1995 Berlin recital, and Orkis' Brahms/Schumann disc with cellist Anner Bylsma, were both nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Chamber Music Performance.

Beethoven Past & Present, his most recent release on Dorian Recordings and in collaboration with David Hardy, Principal Cello of the National Symphony Orchestra, contains two complete performances of Beethoven's eight works for piano and cello, performed on both modern and period instruments. Mr. Orkis has premiered and recorded compositions of numerous composers, including solo works by George Crumb, Richard Wernick, and James Primosch for Bridge Records.

In April, Mr. Orkis participated as a distinguished performing artist and teacher for the Musica Viva Festival 2013, which took place in Sydney, Australia. He has twice served as juror of, and performed for, the Trondheim (Norway) International Chamber Music Competition and Festival. The Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition for Pianists and the Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards Competition have engaged him as adjudicator. As an Honored Artist for Taiwan's New Aspect International Music Festival, he performed and presented master classes in Taipei.

He has appeared internationally as soloist with major orchestras, performs as a member of the Kennedy Center Chamber Players and the Smithsonian Institution's Castle Trio (period instruments), and holds the positions of Principal Keyboard of the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C. and Professor of Piano at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Orkis was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany.