Renowned Canadian pianist Robert Silverman, a master of the international stage, debuts on the Steinway & Sons label with a superb performance of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. 

DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, SILVERMAN DEVOTED HIMSELF ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO THe STUDY OF THIS monumental SET OF Preludes and Fugues

“Pianism on a grand scale... great force and impressive control. A pianist of importance and high-minded purpose.”

New York Times
 

“For this reviewer, Silverman left no doubt; he is one of the finest pianists I have ever heard, live or on recordings. Always utterly committed to his vision, he has a big, warm sound, a technique equal to all difficulties, and an exemplary sense of tonal refinement.”

Calgary Herald

“Radiance to every piece... Silverman made an extraordinary impression... He created an idyll of exquisite sound and exact, unforced feeling.”  

Financial Times
 

“The musical penetration of the sort Robert Silverman brought to his recital...is a rarity. In matters of ultimate concern, his playing dwells on the deepest of levels.” 

Washington Post
 

Album Credits

Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 / Robert Silverman • STNS 30228

Release Date: 08/02/2024

Recorded April 2021 at Chan Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Producer: Robert Silverman
Engineer: Joshua Frey
Mixing and Mastering: Daniel Shores
Piano Technician:  John Veitch
Piano: Steinway Model D #607799 (New York)
 

Executive Producers: Eric Feidner, Jon Feidner, Graham Blank
Art Direction: Jackie Fugere
Design: Cover to Cover Design, Anilda Carrasquillo
Project Coordinator: Renée Oakford
 

About the Artist
 

For over six decades, pianist Robert Silverman has performed in concert halls throughout North America, Europe, the Far East and Australia. Under the batons of renowned conductors such as Seiji Ozawa, John Eliot Gardiner, and the late Kiril Kondrashin, he has appeared with orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, the Sydney Symphony, the BBC (London) Symphony, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as every major orchestra in Canada.

Silverman's comprehensive discography ranks among the largest of any Canadian in history. His recent album of late Chopin works (on Isomike) was named the Best Recording of the Month by Stereophile Magazine. His recording of Liszt's piano music received a Grand Prix du Disque from the Liszt Society of Budapest, while his widely acclaimed 10-CD recording of the thirty-two Beethoven sonatas was short-listed for a Juno Award. Isomike has also released his integral recording of the Mozart sonatas. 

His extensive writings include program notes for many of his recordings. His first book — Bach’s Sonic Tapestry: The 1722 Well-Tempered Clavier — has been published by Friesen Press and is available from online booksellers worldwide.

In 2013 he was appointed to the Order of Canada, a high civilian honour accorded to about 150 Canadians annually. Earlier, Robert Silverman was the first winner of the Ontario Arts Council Award for Keyboard Artistry.

Robert Silverman was a faculty member at the University of British Columbia for thirty years. Following a 5-year term as Director of the School of Music, UBC awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters. A long-standing Steinway Artist, he is frequently heard on the CBC and has recorded for EMI, Stereophile, Marquis Classics, Orpheum Masters, and Isomike.

A native of Montreal, Robert Silverman appeared in recital at the age of five. While a student of Dorothy Morton at McGill University, he debuted with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at fourteen. Nevertheless, it was only after studying engineering for three years and ultimately earning a B.A. in the humanities that he embarked upon a career as a concert pianist. Within a few months, he won the Grand Prize in the Canadian Music Competition and was awarded a Canada Council grant for two years of study in Vienna under Richard Hauser. Upon his return from Europe, Silverman completed his studies at the Eastman School of Music, where he worked with Leonard Shure and Cecile Genhart. During this period, a string of prizes and medals in the Rio de Janeiro, Van Cliburn, Busoni, and Viana da Motta International Piano Competitions culminated in 1967 with the Grand Prize in the prestigious Concours Jeunesses Musicales. Shortly after, he made his highly acclaimed American debut in Washington, DC.

Online visitors regularly enjoy a generous selection of his recordings and live performances on YouTube and all major streaming services.
 

About Steinway & Sons label

The STEINWAY & SONS music label produces exceptional albums of solo piano music across all genres. The label — a division of STEINWAY & SONS, maker of the world’s finest pianos — is a perfect vessel for producing the finest quality recordings by some of the most talented pianists in the world.