Faculty

Mikhail Korzhev, a pianist who “projects strength, atmosphere and the ability to tangle even the knottiest passages” (International Record Review) is equally active as a solo recitalist, a performer with various chamber groups, a soloist with orchestras and a recording artist. Among his CD recordings is the Complete Piano Concertos of Ernst Krenek in collaboration with English Symphony Orchestra and Kenneth Woods, released in two volumes by Toccata Classics in 2016 and 2017 to enthusiastic reviews in Gramophone, Diapason and other publications. These recordings made it to the “Want List” of Fanfare magazine, were chosen as one of 10 Best Contemporary Records of the Year in 2016 by The London Times and in 2017, reached the list of Top 10 Best Classical Recordings of the Year by Forbes magazine. In 2017, Korzhev received the prestigious Anassilaos Prize, an annual award given by the government of Calabria, Italy recognizing achievements in the arts and sciences.

Korzhev’s latest recording, an album dedicated to early piano works of Ernst Krenek, was released by Centaur Records in 2023. His discography also includes three CD recordings featuring compositions for solo piano and chamber works by the prominent English composer Gerard Schurmann, in collaboration with Alyssa Park and Lyris String Quartet, and a compilation of 40 classical standards for the online music library Megatrax.com. 

Korzhev concertized as a solo recitalist in the U.S. and Europe, where he made a successful Vienna Konzerthaus debut in 2006. He also collaborated with several distinguished conductors: Sergiu Commissiona, Carlo Ponti Jr. and others. His chamber music collaborations include performing with the soloists of Russian National Orchestra, Lyris String Quartet, and members of St. Petersburg and Tokyo String Quartets, among others. His collaborative work has been highly regarded by Eugenia Zukerman, Richard Stolzman, Oleh Krysa and other notable musicians. Korzhev’s performances have received high critical acclaim from American and European press. 

Korzhev combines his performing and scholarly activities with teaching. He has served on the faculties of Beverly Hills and Napa Valley music festivals. In 2009, he taught a summer course at Bösendorfer Piano Academy in Vienna. He is currently on the faculty of Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University.

Recordings:

2023 – Early Piano Works of Ernst Krenek (Centaur)
2018 – Gerard Schurmann, Piano Quartets 1-2 (Toccata)
2017 – Complete Piano Concertos of Ernst Krenek, vol. 2 (Toccata)
2016 – Complete Piano Concertos of Ernst Krenek, vol.1 (Toccata)
2014 – Gerard Schurmann, Clarinet Trio, Fantasy for Cello and Piano (Toccata)
2012 – Essential Piano Classics, vol. 1-2 (Megatrax)
2011 – Gerard Schurmann, Piano Works: Works for Piano and Violin (Toccata)
2008 – Ernst Krenek, Piano Works (Phoenix Edition/Capriccio)

Publications:

2010 Ernst Krenek, Piano Concerto #1, op. 18, New Revised Edition – Preface (Universal Edition)