Robert Henry
Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Piano
"Robert Henry's lyricism hits the mark. Cogent shaping, dynamism, and powerful; inner voices decisively sing and project as his Chopin's bass lines reinforce this music's often ignored backbone; rapturous and texturally refined playing; absolutely enchanting." --Gramophone Magazine
Hailed as a "consummate artist -- brilliant, formidable, effortless, and the epitome of control and poise," Robert Henry is an internationally distinguished pianist, winning universal acclaim as orchestral soloist, recitalist, accompanist, and chamber musician. Possessing the rare combination of insight, inspiration, and a dazzling technique, he continues to touch and electrify audiences around the world.
Career highlights include 2002 solo debut recitals at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Wigmore Hall, with critics praising his "flawless technique, smooth and limpid phrasing, exciting programming." He performed the opening concert for the 2004 MTNA National Convention, and has presented concerts, masterclasses, and lectures under the auspices of the American Pianists Association, Chopin Foundation of America, National Gallery of Art, Glinka Conservatory, Phillips Collection, University of California-Berkeley, University of Maryland, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Arkansas State University, Georgia State University, Strathmore Hall, Kitzingen Piano Festival (Germany), and the Ibla-Ragusa Piano Festival (Italy). He has presented concert tours of the U.S., England, Poland, Czech Republic, Nova Scotia, Russia, Italy, and Canada.
A renowned collaborator and chamber musician, he has appeared with such notable conductors as Robert Spano, Donald Runnicles, Michael Palmer, Steven Byess, and Stefan Sanderling. Following his recent major orchestral debut with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Journal Constitution claimed Robert as "an accomplished musician, versatile and elegant...he elevated the concerto to a poignant statement." Dr. Henry has presented recitals with the Pacifica Quartet, cellist Shauna Rolston, soprano Mary Ann Hart, and tenor Sergio Blasquez. He has toured internationally with the Grammy-winning Atlanta Boy Choir, directed by Fletcher Wolfe, and has accompanied the masterclasses of eminent artists Jerry Hadley, Frederica von Stade, and Håkan Hagegård.
Together with cellist Charae Krueger, he has presented the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven. He is also a founding member of the Summit Piano Trio, joined by Helen Kim (violin) and Charae Krueger (cello). Critics have praised his ensemble playing, saying, "It was clear from the outset that Robert Henry is a master of the keyboard. He moves easily from being an accompanist, to a soloist, to one member of the dialogue between his instrument and the ensemble. Robert Henry is top notch."
Robert Henry has enjoyed phenomenal success in important piano competitions, ultimately winning the Gold Medal in four International Piano Competitions in the 2001-2002 season alone (New Orleans International Piano Competition, Washington International Piano Competition, Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, Alfredo Barilli International Piano Competition). These prizes stand alongside fourteen additional first place awards received throughout his career, including the Clara Wells National Competition. On three occasions, juries have spontaneously created special prizes to honor his performances, including Best Performance of a 20th-Century Work and Best Performance of a Commissioned Work. He is a laureate of the 2003 Seiler International Piano Competition (Germany).
An International Steinway Artist, Dr. Henry has earned a reputation for giving stunning performances of the most demanding repertoire and for presenting overlooked masterpieces to the public, from Bach to Boulanger. One New York critic wrote, "Robert Henry's Chopin-Godowsky Études were beautiful beyond description. His sound brings to mind the great pianists of the past, for whom beauty of tone was integral to the structure of the phrase."
In response to Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Henry coordinated and performed in the 2006 "Pianists for New Orleans" tour of the United States, raising over $100,000 for the city. For these efforts, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans.
In 2010, Robert Henry released his debut CD, Twelve Nocturnes and a Waltz, to rave reviews. Gramophone Magazine declared, "Robert Henry's lyricism hits the mark. Absolutely enchanting." The recording is a collection of some of the world's best-loved melodies, featuring Nocturnes of Chopin, Faur, Grieg, Liszt, and many others, including the world premiere of Alexei Stanchinsky's forgotten Nocturne from 1907. Also featured is Dr. Henry's own published transcription of Waltz for the Lonely, originally by guitarist Chet Atkins. Dr. Henry was also winner of two 2010 Telly Awards for the documentary about his recording experience, The Making of Twelve Nocturnes and a Waltz. Dr. Henry was joined by violinist Helen Kim in a world premiere recording of Romance and Dance by Chen Yi for Centaur Records. Also, Mr. Henry arranged and performed Faure’s Pie Jesu for the Atlanta Boy Choir for the film, Captain America 3 (2016). He is regularly heard locally and nationally on NPR's Atlanta Music Scene and Performance Today.
In 2016, Dr. Henry released his third critically acclaimed recording, As the Songbird Sings: Music of Schubert and Brahms, which included the world premiere recording of Brahms' recently discovered piece, Albumblatt.
Dr. Henry earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland, with additional studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Glinka Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was awarded the 2009 KSU Distinguished Alumni Award. He has studied closely with pianists Larissa Dedova, Sergei Dzevanovsky, Anne Koscielny, Raymond Hanson, David Watkins, Joseph Meeks, George Mintz, Sergei Babayan, and André Watts.
As an educator and pedagogue, Dr. Robert Henry is an MTNA Nationally Certified educator and has lectured and performed at universities, conservatories, and festivals worldwide. He has served as recitalist, clinician, and juror for state, regional, and national MTNA conventions and competitions, and he has been featured in American Music Teacher, Gramophone, and Clavier. He operates an exclusive private studio in Atlanta, GA. He is Director of the Atlanta Boy Choir, Organist-Choirmaster of the Saint George's Episcopal Church in Griffin, GA, and he proudly serves as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Piano at Kennesaw State University.
In 2019, Dr. Henry presented a lecture entitled, "Practicing Like a Pro" at the MTNA National Convention in Spokane Washington. Future projects include a recording of Bach's Complete Two-Part Inventions and Chopin Études, Op. 10.
Robert lives in historic Marietta, GA, with his son, Lucas Sebastian Henry. He maintains his web-presence at www.roberthenry.org.
Dr. Henry is represented by Parker Artists, New York.
Contact Robert Henry | rhenry@kennesaw.edu | roberthenry.org | 770-735-7426
Recordings:
Twelve Nocturnes and a Waltz (2011) | Click here to listen on iTunes
As the Songbird Sings: Music of Schubert and Brahms (2015) | Click here to listen on iTunes
Chinese Rap: The Music of Chen Yi (2016) | Click here to listen on iTunes
