Poster Avery Gagliano, pianist
Avery Gagliano, pianist
Chris Lee
Performance Today®

Young Artist in Residence: Avery Gagliano

PT - Young Artist in Residence - Avery Gagliano - Parts 1 & 2

Washington D.C. native Avery Gagliano was five years old when she got her start on the piano. At age 10, she made her first appearance on National Public Radio’s From the Top. She entered the Curtis Institute of Music as a pre-college student at age 14.

Then, at age 18, Gagliano received the Audience Prize at the 2019 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition, was the winner of the Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition, the MostArts Festival Piano Competition, and the 2019 National YoungArts Competition.

At age 19, she reached international distinction as the First Prize and Best Concerto Prize winner of the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition.

The next year, at age 20, Gagliano made her Carnegie Hall debut, released her first album, Reflections, on the Steinway & Sons label and was the only American semifinalist at the 18th International Chopin Competition.

Now, at age 22, Avery Gagliano can add Performance Today Young Artist in Residence to her mounting list of achievements. And even though Gagliano is extremely poised and seems to just collect accolades as the years go by, she’d tell you that her music playing is rooted in faith and gratefulness. When we spoke to Gagliano about what music means to her, she said what’s most important is to glorify God with the talent she’s been given and to continue to share that gift with the world.

So far, we’d say Gagliano is well on her way in that endeavor to share her gift with the world. In addition to Carnegie Hall, she’s appeared on such stages as Warsaw Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, Poland, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, France and the Luxembourg Philharmonie in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Her solo appearances with orchestras include performances with the Louisville Orchestra and the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Gagliano has also appeared at such festivals as the Verbier Festival in Verbier, Switzerland, the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois and the Gilmore Piano Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Avery Gagliano holds a Bachelors degree in piano performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will begin graduate studies at the Kronberg Academy in Taunus, Germany under the guidance of her mentor Andras Schiff in the fall of 2024.

Most recently, Gagliano became a finalist of the 2025 American Pianists Awards. After a year of performances and adjudication, the winner will be named in April of 2025.


Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

Damien Geter's "Neo-Soul" quartet

Damien Geter's "Neo-Soul" quartet

Composer Damien Geter spent much of the pandemic reliving his love of 90s neo-soul. He says the music of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill helped him get through. As a classical composer, he wanted to write his own music in homage to neo-soul. On today's show, we'll hear what he came up with: "Neo-Soul," the String Quartet No. 1 by Damien Geter.

1:59:00
Valerie Coleman: Tzigane

Valerie Coleman: Tzigane

Valerie Coleman's "Tzigane" is a fiery response to a classic. Inspired by Ravel's iconic piece of the same name, Coleman channeled the energy and spirit of Roma music into a composition for wind quintet. On today's show, we'll hear the Imani Winds play Coleman's Tzigane at a performance presented by the Colorado College Summer Music Festival.

1:59:00
Danielpour: Breaking the Veil

Danielpour: Breaking the Veil

Composer Richard Danielpour found musical inspiration in a sculpture made by his mother—an image of an Iranian woman breaking away from her veil. He contemplated recent protests in Iran, led by young women who want to choose whether to wear a headscarf. On today's show, we'll hear music inspired by the brave women of Iran: Breaking the Veil by Richard Danielpour.

1:59:00
Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto

Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto

Publishing houses in Germany initially rejected Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto. When pianist Franz Liszt played through the piece with Grieg, Liszt warmly shook his hand and said, "You have the gift. Keep on composing. Don't let them intimidate you." Liszt’s advice changed Grieg's life; that piece has become one of the most famous pieces in classical music. On today's show, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra in Switzerland.

1:59:00
Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Sure, it's a flashy showpiece for piano, but Kirill Gerstein says, "If you dig deeper, it's also a sincere expression straight from the heart." On today's show, hear Kirill Gerstein play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with conductor Hannu Lintu leading the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Martinu's room with a view

PT Weekend: Martinu's room with a view

Composer Bohuslav Martinu spent his childhood in a bell tower, where his father was the keeper. Looking back, he said he saw "everything in miniature, and above it all a great, boundless space... it is this space that I am forever seeking in my music." On today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Switzerland to hear Marinu's Cello Concerto No. 1.

1:59:00
Ravel's String Quartet

Ravel's String Quartet

French composer Maurice Ravel wrote so much wonderful music, but only once did he write a piece for two violins, viola, and cello. We don’t need to call it Quartet No. 1 by Ravel... it's the ONLY String Quartet by Ravel. Join us today—we'll take you to a concert in Portland, Oregon, to hear the Catalyst Quartet play the String Quartet by Maurice Ravel.

1:59:00
Jessie Montgomery: Peace

Jessie Montgomery: Peace

In the Spring of 2020, the pandemic was brand-new, isolating, and scary. American composer Jessie Montgomery wrote a short composition called Peace… and when Clarinetist Anthony McGill first heard it, he was moved to tears. On today's show, Anthony McGill and pianist Conrad Tao play music about coming to terms with sadness: Peace by Jessie Montgomery.

1:59:00
The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival

In many Asian cultures, a colorful festival marks the final day of Lunar New Year celebrations. People light lanterns, let go of the past and welcome new beginnings. On today’s show, we'll celebrate this time of reconciliation: the Lantern Festival.

1:59:00
Maria Dueñas

Maria Dueñas

Violinist Maria Dueñas is a university student, but she already has a global following and is selling out concert halls worldwide. Gustavo Dudamel says: "She has the magic... an artistic soul. She is fire." We’ll hear Maria Dueñas play a concerto by Max Bruch on today’s show.

1:59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00