Robert Koenig is widely considered one of today’s foremost pianists in the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and esteemed cache to the Palm Springs International Piano Competition in his role as Artistic Director. With a noted career that spans more than four decades, Robert’s collaborations with high-profile artists and chamber ensembles in prestigious venues across the globe has solidified his standing as an invaluable partner and resource to musicians near and far.
From coast to coast and throughout Asia and Europe, in concert and on tour, Robert regularly performs at such venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Amsterdam’s Het Concertgebouw. He has collaborated with many of this generation’s most renowned musicians, including Augustin Hadelich, Hilary Hahn, Ida Kavafian, Zuill Bailey, Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Miro String Quartet, and members of the Tokyo and Juilliard String Quartets. Of significance is Robert’s frequent partnership with legendary late violinist Aaron Rosand, as well as his 30-year collaboration with renowned violinist Elmar Oliveira.
Robert’s discography is vast and musically diverse, with lauded recordings on the Artek, Decca, Cedille, and Naxos labels. One of his many highlights includes a GRAMMY nominated CD for Naxos of William Primrose Transcriptions for Viola and Piano with violist Roberto Diaz.
A favorite at summer festivals in the United States and abroad, Robert has performed at such festivals as Ravinia, Aspen, Caramoor, Mostly Mozart, and Campos do Jordao Festival in Brazil. A strong advocate for the music of our time, Robert commissioned American Composer Lowell Liebermann to write Trio No.2 for Flute, Cello, and Piano Op.87 and performed the world premiere at the National Flute Association Convention in Nashville, TN. A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, Robert is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied with renowned collaborative pianist Dr. Vladimir Sokoloff. In addition to his decade long association with the Juilliard School where he served as staff pianist, he also served as Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Robert currently serves as Professor and Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of California Santa Barbara, where he was Chair of the Music Department from 2019-2022. His summers are spent at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp where he is Coordinator of Collaborative Piano.
Robert Koenig is an official Yamaha Artist.
