Vanguard Concerts

Pianist Louis Schwizgebel gave his first performances at the age of nine. At 12, he represented Switzerland in the 9th Steinway Festival in Hamburg and at 15 won First Prize, the Prize for the Best Interpretation of a Swiss work, and the Paderewski Prize in the Swiss Youth Music Competition. Born in 1987 in Geneva, Mr. Schwizgebel began his piano studies at the age of six with Franz Josefovski. Three years later, he entered the Lausanne Conservatory, as a student of Brigitte Meyer, and earned a "Soloist's Diploma" at the age of 15. Following, he worked with Pascal Devoyon at the Universität der Künst in Berlin and currently lives in New York working with Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald at the Juilliard School. His mother, who is Chinese, and his father, who is Swiss, are both visual artists.

Career highlights include a tour with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Fabio Luisi where he performed at Musikverein Vienna, Victoria Hall Geneva, Kultur Casino Berne, Tonhalle Zurich and KKL Lucerne as well as his debuts at Wigmore Hall, at the Progetto Martha Argerich in Lugano and with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis.

First Prize Winner in the 2006 Young Concert Artists European Auditions in Leipzig and the 2007 YCA International Auditions, Mr. Schwizgebel was presented in his New York debut at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall, sponsored by the Peter Marino Debut Prize, and his Washington, DC debut at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. At the Auditions, he was also awarded numerous performance prizes.

How To Go

Location: NCR Renaissance Auditorium
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 adults; $15 students (tickets may be purchased by calling 436-0244 or at the museum the night of the concert)

Please Note: Due to a scheduling conflict, George Li will appear on next season's series.