The Artists Sessions: Lara Downes

Lauded by NPR as “a delightful artist with a unique blend of musicianship and showmanship” and praised by the Washington Post for her stunning performances “rendered with drama and nuance,” Lara Downes has won acclaim as one of the most exciting and communicative young pianists of today's generation. Since making early debuts at Queen Elizabeth Hall London and the Vienna Konzerthaus, this powerfully charismatic artist has appeared on many of the world’s most prestigious stages, including: Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center. Recent appearances include Portland Piano International, San Francisco Performances, the University of Vermont Lane Series, the American Academy Rome, the El Paso Pro Musica Festival, the Montreal Chamber Music Festival, and the University of Washington World Series.

Downes’ unique performance style, praised as “a voyage of discovery” (Sacramento Bee), infuses repertoire both iconic and unfamiliar with passion, profound musicality, intellectual insight and humor. Her diverse performance works have received support from the NEA, the Barlow Endowment, and American Public Media. Downes’ six solo recordings have met with tremendous critical and popular acclaim. Her latest CD, 13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg (Tritone) was released in Fall 2011. Lara Downes is a Steinway Artist.