“Having that back and forth, give and take, with such exceptionally talented musicians — it’s truly a beautiful experience,” stated Jonathan Biss in anticipation of his upcoming performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO).
The acclaimed pianist is set to take the stage with the BSO from October 17 to 19, where he will perform Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54.” Recognized by The Boston Globe as “an eloquent and insightful music writer” and praised by The New Yorker for his “impeccable taste and formidable technique,” Biss continues to engage audiences worldwide.
Biss’s musical journey began in a family steeped in music. Influenced by his older brother, who studied piano, he started playing the instrument at the age of six. “I was surrounded by music from the moment I was born,” Biss shared in an interview with The Crimson. “People were practicing in every corner of the house at all times.”
Later, he studied under the legendary Leon Fleischer for four years. “His intensity and incredible integrity had a profound impact on me,” Biss remarked.
From Fleischer, Biss adopted integrity as a guiding principle in his approach to music. His musical influences also include iconic composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann.
In 2011, Biss began recording the Beethoven piano sonatas, discovering that writing and teaching about them clarified his own understanding of the music. His online course on Coursera attracted over 100,000 students from 150 countries, further expanding his reach as a musician and educator.
Biss expressed high regard for the BSO, with whom he will perform this month. “Orchestras of that caliber are rare. I have a 20-year history with this great orchestra, and performing with them means playing in one of the most beautiful venues in the world,” he said.
Despite nearly two decades of collaboration with the BSO, he recalls his first performance with them as one of his most memorable experiences. “You can have incredible trust when playing with an orchestra like that,” he reflected on his longstanding partnership with the BSO.
In classical music, concerts are usually planned well in advance, often months or years ahead. However, Biss’s debut with the BSO came on short notice; he received the call on Tuesday and was set to perform on Thursday. “It was scary, but there was an incredible excitement when I woke up on Monday thinking I’d be home that week, and by Tuesday afternoon, I was on a plane to Boston for my debut,” he recalled.
Fortunately for his audience this October, Biss’s performance of the Schumann Concerto with the BSO was planned well in advance. “The Schumann Concerto is a piece I adore. Above all, it’s a poetic work,” he said.
The concerto highlights the piano, which is intricately woven into the orchestral fabric. The piano engages in dialogue with the oboe, followed by the clarinet, and then the strings. “The beauty lies not just in what Schumann says, but in the details of how he says it — the phrasing and the way a line curves against the grain and then back toward it. That’s what makes his music so magical,” Biss explained.
Having played this piece for around 20 years, Biss emphasizes that it’s essential to approach it as if it were brand new each time. “One of the most important things a performer can do is give the impression to the listener that you’re experiencing it in real time, rather than just rehashing something that’s been done before,” he noted.
With a career marked by dedication and passion, Jonathan Biss’s commitment to sharing music remains strong. As he prepares to join the BSO for another memorable performance, he approaches each piece, no matter how familiar, with a sense of discovery, inviting audiences to experience the magic of his music anew.
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