Andrew De Grado and Jeffrey Cohen
Jeffrey Cohen
American pianist Jeffrey Cohen continues
to draw international attention for the brilliance and artistry of his
interpretations. Mr. Cohen has been praised by The New York Times for
the “lucidity and poetry” of his playing.
Both as soloist and chamber musician, Mr. Cohen's performances have
taken him to three different continents. Recitals have included appearances
for The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall,
Bargemusic, the Phillips Collection, Mostly Music Series of Chicago,
the St. Lawrence Center, and the National Arts Center of Ottawa. He
has collaborated with such artists as Isidore Cohen, Nathaniel Rosen,
Steve Doane and Myung-Wha Chung. Mr. Cohen's summer activities as faculty
member and guest artist have included summer festivals at Aria, Bowdoin,
Texas Music Festival, Waterloo, Musicorda, Orford and the Seoul Summer
Music Camp.
In addition to his concert activities, Mr. Cohen is an active recording
artist. His debut compact disc, a collection of French chamber music
with his wife, violinist Lucie Robert, received critical acclaim in
Fanfare magazine. His latest project, a world premiere recording of
chamber works by the French organ composer Jean Hure with Le Groupe
de Chambre de Montreal, was recently released on Fonovox Disques. Mr.
Cohen has performed for broadcasts on National Public Radio’s “Performance
Today,” the CBC Radio Network, Radio Canada, Radio France and WQXR.
A native of Tucson, Arizona, Mr. Cohen studied at Indiana University
where he received the coveted Battista Memorial Award. After working
with noted pianist Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio, Mr. Cohen
came to New York where he is currently a member of the piano and chamber
music faculties at the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Cohen is a past
Laureate of the Beethoven Foundation and a prizewinner of the Sherman-Clay
Steinway Piano Competition. Information about baccarat strategy to risk . diet foods
Jeffrey Cohen ~ Andrew
De Grado
Dear Andy,
I am really having trouble accepting that you are gone. It is very difficult
to put into words my feelings and recollections of you, for you are
still very much alive to me. Perhaps over time, I will be able to accept
your passing, my dear friend.
Andy, you were one of those rare souls who had a gift of making everyone
feel special when they were around you. You were also one hell-of-a
pianist. One of my fondest memories of our days at I.U. was playing
orchestra reductions for 4-hands with you for a conducting class which
met once a week. We would read through symphonies of Beethoven, Schumann,
Tschaikovsky, etc. while student conductors would try to make us follow
them. You were such an amazing sight-reader, and following your lead,
we would sometimes take off and leave the poor conductor in the dust.
After you had started teaching at the University of Illinois, we spoke
quite often on the phone, comparing notes about our teaching experiences,
working with colleagues and sharing stock tips. During one conversation,
which I will always remember because it range so true, you told me how
you thought pianists were too territorial and competitive with each
other, and that a more sensible approach would be for all of us to try
to work together to help create opportunities for each other. This generosity
of spirit will be missed by all of us who knew you.
Andy — though your life was cut tragically short, you touched all
those who knew you, and you will live in our memories forever.
Jeffrey Cohen
New York, February 1998
Andrew George De Grado Foundation, Inc.
