Baum Guest Artist Masterclass: Dr. Dror Biran, piano

Sunday, March 29, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Allendale Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

Recital: 2pm
Masterclass: 5pm

Bio
Winner of top prizes at the M.K. Ciurlionis International Piano Competition, the Cleveland International Piano Competition, among others, Israeli-American pianist Dr. Dror Biran has been described by The Cleveland Plain Dealeras having a style where "his fortissimos crashed and roared, but next to them came pianissimos that whispered seductively&he has technique to burn and uses it effectively." Biran's superb tonal control, combined with insightful phrasing and distinctive voicing, has won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences.

These days, Dr. Biran is especially recognized for his performances of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. He has recorded Book I and part of Book II, with these live recordings available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other digital platforms.

Biran has performed widely as a soloist with major orchestras, including the Lithuanian Philharmonic Orchestra, RTVE Symphony Orchestra of Spain, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He has collaborated with distinguished conductors such as Etinger, Rodan, Gueller, García Asensio, Mester, Lane, and others. His concert tours have taken him across the United States, Israel, South Africa, South Korea, China, and throughout Eastern and Western Europe.

As an avid chamber musician, Biran has appeared regularly with various ensembles, including the Carmel, Amernet, and Aviv String Quartets. He has premiered works by prestigious Grawemeyer and Rome Prize-winning composers such as York Höller and Sebastian Currier. His performances have been broadcast by WUOL, WCLV, WQXR, The Voice of Music - Israel, and Classic FM South Africa, among others. His recordings can be heard on the Jerusalem Music Centre (JMC) and Centaur labels.

A recipient of multiple scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation for distinguished musicians, Biran began his piano studies with Ms. Lily Dorfman and was later mentored by Arie Vardi, Paul Schenly, Daniel Shapiro, and Lee Luvisi. He graduated from the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University and earned his doctorate in piano performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Dr. Biran has held teaching positions at the University of Louisville, Youngstown State University, and Case Western Reserve University. He currently serves as Professor of Piano at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati.

Concert Program
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II (1738-1742)
Preludes and Fugues BWV 870-881

Part I
Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major, BWV 870
Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 871
Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-sharp Major, BWV 872
Prelude and Fugue No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, BWV 873
Prelude and Fugue No. 5 in D Major, BWV 874
Prelude and Fugue No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 875

Intermission

Part II
7. Prelude and Fugue No. 7 in E-flat Major, BWV 876
8. Prelude and Fugue No. 8 in D-sharp Minor, BWV 877
9. Prelude and Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV 878
10. Prelude and Fugue No. 10 in E Minor, BWV 879
11. Prelude and Fugue No. 11 in F Major, BWV 880
12. Prelude and Fugue No. 12 in F Minor, BWV 881

This recital is supported by William Baum Endowment Fund (https://www.gvsu.edu/polisci/william-baum-endowment-fund-48.htm).

Location Information

Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall

Download parking map for the Allendale Campus

Contact Information

Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance
(616) 331-3484

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This event was added to the calendar by Bridgett Vanderhoof (vandebri@gvsu.edu) on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 10:44 a.m.