Pianist Andre Watts Holds Recital at Meany Hall Tonight

André Watts burst upon the music scene at age 16 when Leonard Bernstein chose him to debut with the New York Philharmonic in a nationwide Young People's Concerts broadcast. Two weeks later, Bernstein asked him to substitute at the last minute for the ailing Glenn Gould in performances of Liszt's E-flat Concerto with the New York Philharmonic, thus launching his career. More than 40 years later, Watts remains one of today's most celebrated and beloved superstars. His performances each year with the world's great orchestras and conductors, and his sold-out recitals and appearances at the most prestigious international festivals, bring him to every corner of the globe.

André Watts performs at Meany Hall tonight, April 15, 2014 at 7:30pm. This performance was originally scheduled for November 7, 2013. Patrons holding tickets to the November 7 performance may use their tickets for the April 15 date. Tickets are $50-55. The UW World Series also offers up to two Free Youth Tickets (ages 5-17 only) with the purchase of a Regular Price ticket. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 206-543-4880, online at uwworldseries.org, or in person at the UW Arts Ticket Office. Meany Hall is located on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington.

Andre Watts' program will include:
Scarlatti: Three Sonatas
Mozart: Rondo in A Minor, K. 511
Beethoven: Sonata in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3
Debussy: Estampes
Chopin: Three Etudes
Liszt: La Lugubre Gondola No. 2; Etude de concert No. 3; Transcendental Etude No. 10

A perennial favorite with orchestras throughout the U.S., Andre Watts is a regular guest at the major summer music festivals including Ravinia, the Hollywood Bowl, Saratoga, Tanglewood, Eastern Music, and the Mann Music Center. Recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia and on tour, the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, and the St. Louis, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Seattle, and National symphonies, among others. In celebration of the Liszt anniversary in 2011, Mr. Watts played all-Liszt recitals throughout the U.S., while recent and upcoming international engagements include concerto and recital appearances in Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, and Spain.

André Watts has had a long and frequent association with television, having appeared on numerous programs produced by PBS, the BBC, and the Arts and Entertainment Network, performing with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, among others. His 1976 New York recital, aired on the programLive From Lincoln Center, was the first full-length recital broadcast in the history of television and his performance at the 38th Casals Festival in Puerto Rico was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cultural Programming. Mr. Watts' most recent television appearances are with the Philadelphia Orchestra on the occasion of the orchestra's 100th Anniversary Gala and a performance of the Brahms Concerto No.2 with the Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz conducting, for PBS.

Mr. Watts' extensive discography includes recordings of works by Gershwin, Chopin, Liszt ,and Tchaikovsky for CBS Masterworks; recital CD's of works by Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, and Chopin for Angel/EMI; and recordings featuring the concertos of Liszt, MacDowell, Tchaikovsky, and Saint-Saens on the Telarc label. He is also included in the Great Pianists of the 20th Century series for Philips.

A much-honored artist who has played before royalty in Europe and heads of government in nations all over the world, André Watts received a 2011 National Medal of Arts, given by the President of the United States to individuals who are deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the excellent, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. In June 2006, he was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl of Fame to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his debut (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) and he is also the recipient of the 1988 Avery Fisher Prize. At age 26 Mr. Watts was the youngest person ever to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Yale University and he has since received numerous honors from highly respected schools including the University of Pennsylvania, Brandeis University, The Juilliard School, and his Alma Mater, the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.

Previously artist-in-residence at the University of Maryland, Mr. Watts was appointed to the newly created Jack I. and Dora B. Hamlin Endowed Chair in Music at Indiana University in May, 2004.

The UW World Series is one of Seattle's leading performing arts organizations, presenting innovative, provocative, and diverse international artists in music, theater, and dance. More than 450 visiting artists from around the world have performed as part of the UWWS. The eclectic mix of programming has given Northwest audiences a broad view of the world of performing arts, from sampling unique cultural traditions to experiencing innovative new works that expand the scope and direction of contemporary performing arts. The UW World Series' mission includes supporting the educational goals of the University of Washington by providing extensive arts learning opportunities for UW students and faculty, area school children and teachers, and members of the community at large.

Discounts are available for students, seniors (65+), UW Alumni Association members, and UW employees. UW student tickets start at $10. Seating restrictions may apply. Tickets are subject to availability.