Born: May 12, 1941 – Los Angeles, California, USA
The American organist, harpsichordist, fortepianist, conductor and composer, Anthony Newman, studied in Paris with Alfred Cortot, Nadio Boulanger and the famous organist Pierre Cochereau. He received a Diplome Superieur from the École Normale de Musique with a special commendation from Alfred Cortot. In the USA, he trained with pianist Edith Oppens and composers Leon Kirchner and Luciano Berio, and served as choral assistant to New York Pro Musica – Director Noah Greenberg.
For over 26 years, the multifaceted Anthony Newman has been in the public eye as one of the country’s leading organ virtuosos and as a prodigiously active harpsichordist, fortepianist, conductor, composer, writer and recording artist. His more than 140 releases cover a full range of styles from the 17th century to the 20th century. Many of his recordings have been singled out for excellence, and his 1989 fortepiano performance of Beethoven’s Third Concerto was chosen by Stereo Review as “Record of the Year”.
A frequent collaborator with many notable artists, Anthony Newman has recorded recently for Sony Classical with Wynton Marsalis and the English Chamber Orchestra on In Gabriel’s Garden. Released in June 1996, it quickly reached the top spot on Billboard’s chart of classical bestsellers. A number of his Newport Classic compact discs were released by Sony Classical at the beginning of 1997 as part of their Essential Classics series. Also due for release is a disc of Christmas Organ Music.
Anthony Newman’s 1994-1995 season included engagements with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, with which he gave the premiere of a new Concerto for Organ. In 1996 he appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for performances of the Brandenburg Concertos. He also continued his activities as a recitalist with appearances at the harpsichord and organ throughout the country.
Anthony Newman’s duo recitals with flautist Eugenia Zukerman are heard from Washington to Los Angeles, and are now in their twelfth season at the New York Public Library. His performances with soprano Julianne Baird and the Brandenburg Collegium have been enthusiastically received in cities across the country, and his solo appearances as an organist and harpsichordist in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, San Francisco, Mexico City, Paris, Prague and Vienna have confirmed his reputation as one of the keyboard masters of his generation.
In previous seasons, Anthony Newman has been a guest with many major orchestras and has appeared on national television in the “Gala of Stars” special. He has conducted the Los Angeles Chamber, Mostly Mozart Festival, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Newman was responsible for the revival of Paul Hindemith’s opera Sancta Suzanna and conducted it in Prague, where it received unanimous critical accolades. A frequent guest with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, he was a consultant in the selection of an organ for Alice Tully Hall, and was invited to perform on the instrument for Miss Tully’s 90th birthday celebration in the 1993-1994 season.
A prolific composer, Anthony Newman has had his works performed worldwide, including London, Paris, Budapest and Vienna, and in Germany. His extensive catalogue include five concertos, three orchestral sinfonias and a variety of works for piano and organ, as well as chamber music for strings, winds and brass.
Anthony Newman’s own teaching career has included positions at the Juilliard School and Indiana University, and he currently heads the graduate music program at Purchase College of the State University of New York. He also serves as director of music for St Matthew’s Church in Bedford, NY. He is the founder and administrator of Hands On Outreach, an organisation that provides food to shelters and the indigent in White Plains, New York, and is a member of Hospice, a national organisation dedicated to providing comfort to the terminally ill. In Europe, he has served as Dean of the European Mozart Academy in Krakow, Poland.
http://www.anthonynewmanmusician.org/bio