Bruce Levingston

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Bruce Levingston is an American concert pianist and recording artist.[1][2] Renowned for his interpretations of contemporary music and innovative programming, critics praise Levingston's performances for their nuanced expression, vibrant color, and profound emotional depth.[3][4] The New York Times critic Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim noted his "mastery of color and nuance."[5] The New Yorker called him the "essential New York pianist,” praising his advocacy for new music.[6] In a 2011 review, critic Steve Smith wrote that "Mr. Levingston, in particular, values illuminating connections among the pieces he programs."[7]

Career[edit]

Performances[edit]

Bruce Levingston has performed on many of the world’s great stages, including multiple solo appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Levingston has also appeared in numerous performances at the Boston Opera House, New York’s City Center, Teatro Reggio, Teatro del Lago and the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] His repertoire encompasses composers of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras, including Bach, Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Satie, Debussy, Ravel, Messiaen, Janacek, Webern, Glass, Kurtág and Ligeti.[15][16]

Collaborations[edit]

Levingston has premiered works by many contemporary composers, including Timo Andres, Lisa Bielawa, William Bolcom, David Bruce, Sebastian Currier, David del Tredici, Nolan Gasser, Philip Glass, György Kurtág, David T. Little, Keeril Makan, James Matheson, George Perle, Wolfgang Rihm, Charles Wuorinen, and Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky.[17][18][19][20][21][22] He has performed with well-known musicians including solo and duo performances with Philip Glass at Brooklyn Academy of Music and Lincoln Center.[23][24][25] Levingston has also performed with violinist Colin Jacobsen at Carnegie Hall, Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, and with Brooklyn Rider at Poisson Rouge.[26][18][17]

Levingston has also collaborated with prominent figures from other artistic disciplines including Chuck Close, Herman Cornejo, Michael Cunningham, Jorma Elo, Alessandra Ferri, Ethan Hawke, Nick McDonnell, George Plimpton, and Kevin Young.[27][10][23][28][13][29][30] In 2004, Levingston commissioned Philip Glass to compose "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close" in honor of David Rockefeller’s 90th birthday.[31][32] Levingston was inspired to commission the work after viewing a portrait of Philip Glass created by Chuck Close at Rockefeller University.[33][31]

The Close-Glass portrait was gifted to Rockefeller University by David Rockefeller.[34] In 2005, Levingston premiered Philip Glass’s "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close" at Lincoln Center.[35] In 2006, Levingston recorded “A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close" for his album, Portraits.[36] In 2007, Levingston performed Glass’ "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close" live for American Ballet Theatre’s premiere production of Jorma Elo’s "C. to C."[10][11]

Films[edit]

Levingston’s recordings of Philip Glass’s music are featured on the soundtracks of Scott Hicks’ film Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts and Marion Cajori’s film "Chuck Close".[37][38] In 2007, Levingston gave a live performance of Erik Satie’s score written for Rene Clair’s surreal film Entr’acte at the French Institute Alliançe Française in New York City.[28] In 2008, Levingston commissioned composer Keeril Makan to create scores for films by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí which Levingston premiered live for Rooftop Films in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition “Dalí: Painting and Film”.[39] In 2016, Levingston interviewed Ken Burns for the PBS series Conversations. In 2016, Levingston commissioned cinematographer Jarred Alterman to create a film set to Nolan Gasser’s score American Citizen inspired by the Marie Hull painting of the same name. In 2016, Levingston gave premieres of the Gasser score of American Citizen with a showing of the Alterman film at Carnegie Hall and Georgetown University.[40][41]

Publications[edit]

 Levingston has written for Piano and Keyboard and is author and editor of Bright Fields: The Mastery of Marie Hull.[21][42]

Premiere Commission[edit]

In 2001, Levingston founded Premiere Commission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the work of living composers.[23] In this capacity, Levingston has facilitated the creation and premieres of new compositions by important contemporary composers including Lisa Bielawa, William Bolcom, David Bruce, John Corigliano, Sebastian Currier, Fred Hersch, David T. Little, Keeril Makan, Philippe Manoury, David Del Tredici, Philip Glass, Cecil Price Walden, Charles Wuorinen, and Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky.[17][18][23][43][44]

Advocate[edit]

Human Rights[edit]

In 2016, Levingston co-commissioned and premiered Repast, an oratorio with music by Nolan Gasser and a libretto by Kevin Young based on the life of the civil rights era figure Booker Wright at Carnegie Hall.[29][45][46]

In 2016, Levingston commissioned Nolan Gasser to compose a musical work, American Citizen,  based on the Marie Hull painting by the same which Levingston premiered at Carnegie Hall and subsequently recorded.[20][47][48]

In 2017, Levingston commissioned and performed Sacred Spaces by composer Cecil Price Walden for the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.[47]

Levingston's book Bright Fields: The Mastery Of Marie Hull highlights the struggle of African Americans to attain equality in artistic portrayals.[49][50] Praising Hull for her daring to title her painting of former slave John Wesley Washington “American Citizen”, Levingston wrote:

“During the Great Depression, Hull began an important series of portraits of African-Americans, tenant farmers and sharecroppers. In these works, she treated each subject equally, regardless of race, revealing the human drama, inner struggle and indomitable spirit of each figure. In 1936, she painted a portrait of John Wesley Washington, a local worker born into slavery in 1847. In this heart-rending work, Hull not only gives the portrait the complete name of her subject (almost never bestowed upon African-Americans at that time), but the overall title ‘An American Citizen.'

This quiet, subtle and extraordinarily significant act of respect and social commentary by a Southern painter from this most ‘Southern’ of states remains, more than ever, a deeply resonant statement about who we are and can be, as a people. It is also a reminder of the powerful voice an artist may bring to his or her society, even in the most closed and difficult of times.”[48]

In 2017, Levingston commissioned David T. Little to compose Accumulation of Purpose inspired by Freedom Riders in Mississippi. Little wrote of the work: “It is dedicated to the spirit of non-violent direct action so vital to the success of the Freedom Rides, and to the bravery of the Freedom Riders themselves, who in their courage, changed the course of history.”[51] In 2018, Levingston premiered David T. Little’s Accumulation of Purpose at Carnegie Hall.[43][52]

In 2018, Levingston recorded Summerland by Mississippi-born composer William Grant Still and performed it at Carnegie Hall.[48] When Still originally composed Summerland in G-flat major, his publisher forbade him from printing it in that key, citing discriminatory beliefs that African-Americans should not compose in such complex keys.[47] In a tribute to Still's enduring legacy, Levingston chose to honor the composer's intentions by performing and recording Summerland in its original key.[47]

Cultural Ambassador[edit]

In 1991, Levingston served as a Young Leader for the American Council on Germany.[53] In 1995, Levingston commissioned composer George Perle to compose Phantasyplay in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the American Council on Germany.[21] In 1997, Levingston gave the world premiere of Phantasyplay at Lincoln Center.[54] Levingston performed at the United Nations to honor the people of Denmark for their heroism during World War II.[8] Levingston also gave performances to assist refuseniks relocating from the Soviet Union to the United States.[55]

Personal life[edit]

Early life[edit]

 Levingston was born in the Mississippi Delta town of Greenville, Mississippi. Levingston’s childhood in nearby Cleveland, Mississippi instilled in him a deep appreciation for art and music. His early important teachers included Amanda Vick Lethco and the Hungarian concert pianist and Dohnányi pupil Elizabeth Buday. While still in high school, Levingston studied music in Switzerland with Béla Böszöményi-Nagy. He graduated with honors from Darlington School, and received a Bachelor of Arts with honors in the Humanities Honors program at the University of Texas at Austin. He continued post-graduate studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music under Anton Kuerti and at the Aaron Copland School of Music under Morey Ritt and Carl Schachter.[56] Levingston also studied at the Aspen Music Festival and School under Herbert Stessin, later performing there as a guest artist.[42][8][57]

New York and the Chelsea Hotel[edit]

 A longtime resident of New York City’s Chelsea Hotel, Levingston forged connections with many renowned artists there including Virgil Thomson, Arthur Miller, Arnold Weinstein, William Bolcom and Ethan Hawke.[58][59] 

Mississippi[edit]

Throughout his life, Levingston has facilitated dialogue and cultural exchange in Mississippi. He has brought many distinguished figures to his home state, such as William F. Buckley Jr., Ken Burns, Ron Chernow, George Plimpton, Katie Ford, David Rockefeller Jr. and Jane Smiley to share their life experiences and expertise.[27][60][47] In 2006, Levingston was awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and in 2017 he was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. In 2018, the Governor of Mississippi proclaimed May 9 Bruce Levingston Day.[52]

His contributions as the Chancellor’s Honors College Artist in Residence and holder of the Lester Glenn Fant Chair at the University of Mississippi and his involvement in local arts initiatives have earned him recognition and numerous other accolades.[61][62][57]

Recordings[edit]

Albums[edit]

Solo Tracks (Appears on)[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kozinn, Allan (April 27, 2005). "A Pianist Turns the Tables on a Portrait Painter". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Bruce Levingston – Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College". olemiss.edu. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "The Best Classical Music Recordings of 2015".
  4. ^ a b "Classical Playlist: Schumann, Bach, Prokofiev and More".
  5. ^ "The Best Classical Music Recordings of 2015".
  6. ^ "Bruce Levingston: "Voices from the Sleep"".
  7. ^ Smith, Steve (May 13, 2011). "A Little Offbeat Humor in Cyclical Explorations". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Bruce Levingston".
  9. ^ "Boston Ballet's challenging 'Close to Chuck'".
  10. ^ a b c "C. to C. (Close to Chuck)".
  11. ^ a b "An Ephemeral Portrait of an Artist in a Hall of Mirrors".
  12. ^ "Royal Opera House Gets a $66 Million Revamp".
  13. ^ a b "Trio ConcertDance review – Alessandra Ferri forges a new path for older dancers".
  14. ^ "Review: Trio ConcertDance at Linbury, Royal Opera House".
  15. ^ "The Best Classical Music Recordings of 2015".
  16. ^ "Portraits".
  17. ^ a b c "Works New or Newly Configured".
  18. ^ a b c "A Little Offbeat Humor in Cyclical Explorations".
  19. ^ "Music Listings".
  20. ^ a b "ALBUM REVIEW: BRUCE LEVINGSTON, CITIZEN".
  21. ^ a b c Piano & Keyboard.
  22. ^ "Music review: Jacobsen and Levingston at Library of Congress".
  23. ^ a b c d "Premiere Commission Holds Gala, With a Premiere by Lisa Bielawa".
  24. ^ "Philip Glass: "The Études"".
  25. ^ "Practice, practice, practice: Philip Glass's Complete Piano Etudes at BAM".
  26. ^ "Music Review: Jacobsen and Levingston at Library of Congress".
  27. ^ a b "The Greenwood Commonwealth from Greenwood, Mississippi • Page 3".
  28. ^ a b "Through Erik Satie's Music, a Trip Back in Time to the Soundless and the Surreal".
  29. ^ a b "Bruce Levingston: "Windows"".
  30. ^ "The Five-Decade Book Party And Its Tireless Host".
  31. ^ a b "A Portraitist Whose Canvas Is a Piano".
  32. ^ "EVENING HOURS; Feasts of Fall".
  33. ^ Musical Portraits. pp. 69–77.
  34. ^ "David Rockefeller, the billionaire art collector, philanthropist and banking giant, died at the age 101".
  35. ^ "A Pianist Turns the Tables on a Portrait Painter".
  36. ^ a b "PORTRAITS".
  37. ^ "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts".
  38. ^ "Master Portraitist, Writ Large Himself".
  39. ^ "SURREAL LIFE".
  40. ^ "Review: Pianist Bruce Levingston Presents 'Creating An American Citizen' at Georgetown University".
  41. ^ "Pianist Bruce Levingston at Georgetown U."
  42. ^ a b "Bruce Levingston interview on Hull book".
  43. ^ a b "Bruce Levingston, Piano".
  44. ^ "This Week".
  45. ^ Young, Kevin. Brown.
  46. ^ "Bass-Baritone Justin Hopkins & Pianist Bruce Levingston Perform "Repast" Based on The Story of Booker Wright, Monday, April 4, 2016".
  47. ^ a b c d e "TEN QUESTIONS WITH BRUCE LEVINGSTON".
  48. ^ a b c "Bruce Levingston Takes Mississippi Inspiration to Carnegie Hall".
  49. ^ Levingston, Bruce. Bright Fields: The Mastery Of Marie Hull.
  50. ^ ""Bright Fields: The Mastery of Marie Hull" by Bruce Levingston Explores Her Art Including "An American Citizen," A 94-year-old Former Slave With "Intense Gaze"".
  51. ^ "Accumulation of Purpose".
  52. ^ a b "Bryant proclaims April 9 as 'Bruce Levingston Day'".
  53. ^ "YOUNG LEADERS 1973-2023".
  54. ^ "Bruce Levingston & George Perle".
  55. ^ "Biography Bruce Levingston".
  56. ^ "The Enterprise-Tocsin from Indianola, Mississippi • 8".
  57. ^ a b "LEVINGSTON NAMED TO FANT CHAIR".
  58. ^ "Bruce Levingston, Classical Pianist".
  59. ^ "Chelsea mornings coming to an end?".
  60. ^ "The Clarksdale Press Register from Clarksdale, Mississippi • 1".
  61. ^ "Ole Miss pianist 'honored' to share internationally acclaimed talents with Mississippi, aid local artists".
  62. ^ "Bruce Levingston interview on Hull book". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  63. ^ a b c d Pianist, The Cross-Eyed (April 19, 2018). "Meet the Artist – Bruce Levingston, piano". The Cross-Eyed Pianist. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  64. ^ "RECORDING OF THE MONTH".
  65. ^ "Still Sound".
  66. ^ "Still Sound".
  67. ^ "Digital Dose New Classical".
  68. ^ "Usher in Summer with the London Symphony in Haydn's The Seasons".
  69. ^ "Heart Shadow".
  70. ^ "Heart Shadow".
  71. ^ "Heavy Sleep".
  72. ^ "Heavy Sleep".
  73. ^ "Portraits".
  74. ^ "Portraits".
  75. ^ "Night Break".
  76. ^ "Night Break".
  77. ^ "Night Break".
  78. ^ "Bruce Levingston: Citizen".
  79. ^ "Citizen".
  80. ^ "Citizen".
  81. ^ "Bruce Levingston: Dreaming Awake".
  82. ^ "EARLY, CLASSICAL AND BEYOND".
  83. ^ "Ethan Hawke Cameos in Pianist Bruce Levingston's Philip Glass Survey".
  84. ^ "Dreaming Awake".
  85. ^ "Dreaming Awake".
  86. ^ "Bruce Levingston: Windows".
  87. ^ "Windows".
  88. ^ "Windows".
  89. ^ "Piano Recital: Levingston, Bruce - BACH, J.S. / BRAHMS, J. / RIHM, W. (Prelude to Dawn)".
  90. ^ "Classical CDs: wolves, woodwinds and a masonic funeral".
  91. ^ "Prelude to Dawn".
  92. ^ "Prelude to Dawn".
  93. ^ "Prelude to Dawn".
  94. ^ "Prelude to Dawn".
  95. ^ "Prelude to Dawn".
  96. ^ "Bruce Levingston: Without Words".
  97. ^ "Speaking Without Saying: Bruce Levingston, piano. Without Words: Felix Mendelssohn, Price Walden".
  98. ^ "Without Words".
  99. ^ "Without Words".
  100. ^ "Imagine Christmas".
  101. ^ "Imagine Christmas".
  102. ^ "Imagine Christmas".
  103. ^ "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts".
  104. ^ "Glass - A Portrait of Philip In Twelve Parts".
  105. ^ "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts".

External links[edit]

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