American pianist Andrew Russo will perform at Morningside College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Eppley Auditorium as part of the Morningside College Piano Recital Series.

American pianist Andrew Russo will perform at Morningside College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave, as part of the Morningside College Piano Recital Series.

Russo became the first pianist to perform a significant work using alternative techniques – requiring the inside and frame of the piano as well as the keys – as a finalist in the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He was featured in Peter Rosen’s internationally broadcast documentary “Playing on the Edge” after the competition and profiled in New York Times writer James Barron’s book, “Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand.”

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Russo is a graduate of The Juilliard School, and he pursued post-graduate studies in Germany and France. His early career was spent as an advocate of American composers and American music. He has performed in many of the world’s cultural capitals, such as Paris, London, Moscow, Rome, Tokyo and Buenos Aires.

Russo has a dozen commercial recordings to his credit. He received a 2007 Grammy nomination for his Black Box Records release of music by John Corigliano. His most recent recording appears on the Naxos label and features new works by Aaron Kernis that were commissioned by Russo. 

The recital at Morningside College will include works by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Chiu, Brahms and Balakirev. The performance is free and open to the public.

Photo of Andrew Russo by Natalia Russo Photography © 2013