The German pianist Alexander Schimpf has risen to prominence by impressively winning a series of competitions, first winning the 2008 German Music Competition (a distinction no pianist had earned for 14 years), winning First Prize at the 2009 International Beethoven Competition in Vienna and finally emerging as the first German pianist ever to win First Prize at the 2011 Cleveland International Piano Competition. His final round performance at Severance Hall with the renowned Cleveland Orchestra was given a standing ovation and additionally honored with the Audience Favorite Prize. Since winning these notable awards, Mr. Schimpf’s career has gained momentum with regular appearances at important music centers around the world; he gave debut performances at the Vienna Konzerthaus, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in New York, the Marinsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg, the Great Hall of "Alte Oper" in Frankfurt, and the Munich and Cologne Philharmonic Halls.
PROGRAM

BEETHOVEN – Sonata in E flat major, Op. 7
BEETHOVEN – Variations in C minor, WoO 80
BEETHOVEN – Sonata in E major, Op 109
BEETHOVEN – Six Bagatelles, Op. 126

ARTISTS

Alexander Schimpf, piano