MTD Events
Baum Guest Artist Recital: Dr. Dror Biran, piano
Date and Time
Sunday, March 29, 2026 5:00 PM
Location
Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall
Description
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).
This event also appears on the main events calendar tagged as arts, clas, concert, music, and performance.
Contact
Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance
(616) 331-3484