Lambert Orkis

Pianist Lambert Orkis has received international recognition as a chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary music and performer on period instruments. He has appeared in recital with Anne-Sophie Mutter since 1988 and performed with Mstislav Rostropovich for more than 11 years. Acknowledging his many achievements, he was honoured with Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit.
His distinguished career also includes appearances with Lynn Harrell, Anner Bylsma, Daniel Müller-Schott, Amanda Forsyth, Tanja Tetzlaff, Julian Rachlin and Steven Dann, as well as the Vertavo, Emerson, American, Mendelssohn, Curtis, Manchester, Goldner and Elias String Quartets and Arcadia Winds. As a soloist, he has performed with conductors such as Christoph Eschenbach, Mstislav Rostropovich, Leonard Slatkin, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Günther Herbig, John Mauceri, Rob Kapilow, Leon Fleisher and Kenneth Slowik.

A Grammy winner, his wide discography includes works from the Classical, Romantic and modern eras on many labels. He has frequently recorded for Deutsche Grammophon with Anne-Sophie Mutter, winning a Grammy for best chamber music performance for their recording of Beethoven’s piano and violin sonatas and a 2006 Choc de l’année for their recording of Mozart’s piano and violin sonatas. He has also recorded works by Brahms, Schumann and Chopin with Anner Bylsma and works by Brahms with Steven Dann. Lambert Orkis has also given the premieres and recorded works by composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki, George Crumb, André Previn, Richard Wernick, Sebastian Currier and James Primosch. With David Hardy, he recorded Beethoven’s works for piano and cello on modern and historical pianos.

Lambert Orkis performs at the world’s most prestigious festivals and has twice made guest appearances as an honoured artist and teacher at the Musica Viva Australia in Sydney. He has been a juror and performer at the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition three times, most recently as chairman of the jury. He was also a member of the jury at Carnegie Hall’s International American Music Competition for Pianists and the Kennedy Center Friedheim Award. Additionally, he has performed and presented masterclasses in Taipei as an honoured artist for the New Aspect International Music Festival in Taiwan.

Lambert Orkis is a founding member of the Kennedy Center Chamber Players and the Castle Trio of the Smithsonian Institution, performing on period instruments. He is also principal pianist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington and professor of piano at Temple University in Philadelphia.