GRAMMY-nominated Pianist Simone Dinnerstein Performs as Soloist with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra

For questions or to purchase tickets over the phone, please call (717) 291-6440

LANCASTER, PA—Acclaimed pianist Simone Dinnerstein, lauded by The New Yorker as an artist possessing "lean, knowing, and unpretentious elegance," joins the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Michael Butterman in three performances on Friday, January 12 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, January 13 at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. All three concerts will occur at Gardner Theatre within Lancaster Country Day School.

Known for her distinctive musical voice and commitment to making classical music accessible to all, Dinnerstein brings her adventurous artistic instincts to the forefront. The program promises a mesmerizing experience as she takes on two piano concertos that span different historical eras, showcasing the brilliance of two contrasting composers—J.S. Bach and Philip Glass. The selected pieces include Bach's Concerto for Harpsichord No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053, and Philip Glass's seldom performed "Tirol" Concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra.

The concert will also feature Arnold Schoenberg's Transfigured Night (version 1943), described by Michael Butterman as "both heart-wrenching and remarkable for its lush, harmonic richness."

Simone Dinnerstein's artistry has garnered widespread praise, with The Washington Post hailing her as "an artist of strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity." Rising to prominence in 2007 with her recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, she has become a recognized force in interpreting J.S. Bach's work. The New York Times recognized Dinnerstein as "an utterly distinctive voice in the forest of Bach interpretation."

Venturing into more contemporary realms, Dinnerstein's passion for the music of Philip Glass has earned accolades from critics and the composer himself, who has crafted music specifically for her. The Philadelphia Inquirer has celebrated Dinnerstein's live performance of Bach and Glass, noting, "Within the rigor, though, Simone Dinnerstein found a great deal of joy and liberation."

Simone Dinnerstein has played with orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic and Montreal Symphony Orchestra to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale Rai. Her extensive repertoire has graced prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Berlin Philharmonie, the Vienna Konzerthaus, Seoul Arts Center, and the Sydney Opera House. With thirteen chart-topping albums to her name, Dinnerstein's pandemic-era trilogy—A Character of Quiet, An American Mosaic, and Undersong—has received critical acclaim, with An American Mosaic earning a Grammy nomination.

On reuniting with conductor Michael Butterman and performing this engaging, two-concerto program with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra for her first concerts of 2024, Dinnerstein expresses her enthusiasm, stating, "It is always a joy to collaborate with my dear friend, Michael Butterman. Michael has the most natural and fluid approach to interpretation, both of which lend themselves particularly well to the music of Bach and Glass. And this will be my first time performing with the musicians of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, so I am looking forward to meeting them!"

Those eager to witness this incredible program and a world-renowned pianist are encouraged to secure their seats in advance by contacting the LSO box office at 717-291-6440 or conveniently online at https://www.lancastersymphony.org/bach-and-glass. Don't miss the opportunity to be swept away by the harmonious magic created by Simone Dinnerstein and the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra.