Robert Koenig

Bio

Robert Koenig is widely considered one of today's foremost collaborative pianists and brings a wealth of experience and esteemed cache to prestigious concert venues throughout the world. With a noted career that spans more than three decades, Robert's collaborations with high-profile artists and chamber ensembles 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, 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 Joshua Bell, Augustin Hadelich, Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, 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 Leibermann to write Trio No.2 for Fute, 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. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Symphony and International Classical Concerts of the Desert, Robert is the CEO and Artistic Director of the newly created Bellosguardo International Piano Competition taking place in August 2028. 

Robert Koenig is an official Yamaha Artist.