Matthew Palumbo, piano

Pianist Matthew Palumbo presents a lecture-recital centering on the Piano Sonata, Op. 26, a masterwork by Samuel Barber. Composed in 1947 through 1949, the technically demanding Sonata was premiered by Vladimir Horowitz in Havana and quickly entered the 20th century piano repertoire.

Palumbo says, “I was raised with statements such as ‘great technique fits one’s unique physical structure and is governed by sincere artistry that is derived solely from the score.’ When one goes against the music, the body protests and injury occurs. 20th and 21st century music creates unique problems in this light, as much of it stacks dissonance with dissonance, or resolves dissonance with ‘lesser’ dissonance. As many students begin to understand the underlying musical implications of this 20th century music, much of the physicality has to be relearned. The goal: to refine and keep the musical intention, while releasing the tension in a healthy manner. This lecture-recital seeks to demonstrate methods for this type of musicianship using Barber Piano Sonata as a case example.”

Accomplished pianist and teacher Matthew J. Palumbo made his solo debut with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra at age thirteen as the winner of the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival. He performed across the United States and Europe in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Benaroya Hall, Friedberg Hall, and in 2015 was the Maryland Artist representative for the Music Teachers National Association where he performed more locally in Strathmore, Goodwin, Griswald, Katzen, Peters, Linehan, numerous others, and appeared on concert series such as First and Franklin, Cathedral Concert Series, Sound and Serenity, An Die Musik, Prince George’s Artist Series, and others. 

Mr. Palumbo is in demand as a teacher, adjudicator, and master clinician throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. Most recently, he has been a judge for the E. R. Davis, Hartman, Doris Chase, and Gottlieb competitions, and is currently the chairperson for the MTAGB Collegiate Scholarship competition in coordination with Steinway & Sons. He is a board member of the Maryland State Music Teachers Association, an associate professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, and was co-director and faculty at the Leon Fleisher Academy in 2022. His students have received numerous awards and have been accepted with highest scholarships to Peabody, University of Maryland, Towson, Howard, Susquehanna, and others, and have performed in venues such as Weill Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Ticket information is forthcoming.

Linehan Concert Hall, located in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, is easy to visit, with plenty of free parking. Please visit here for directions and parking information.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Palumbo.