Emanuel Ax’s mix of technical precision and lustrous lyricism has earned him a reputation as one of the most beloved concert pianists of our time. He made his UMS debut in 1978, which was his most recent UMS solo recital; subsequent appearances included a duo recital with Yo-Yo Ma (1991), a duo recital with Yefim Bronfman (2008) and appearances with The Cleveland Orchestra (1995), the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (1998), and the San Francisco Symphony (2012). Born in Poland, he moved to Winnepeg, Canada as a young boy and studied at Juilliard. He won the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in 1974, which launched his career.

“His greatness, his overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect emerges quickly as he plays. Within minutes, we are totally captured by his intensity and pianistic achievement.” (Los Angeles Times)