Pianist Orli Shaham

December 7, 2024
For Immediate Release
Dec 15: Westchester Philharmonic’s chamber series
Coming up in January: Beethoven “Triple” with Gil Shaham, plus recitals in Southern California
Limited edition box set of the complete Mozart piano sonatas out now
[Read More]

November 15: Orli Shaham's limited edition box set released on Canary Classics Mozart: The Complete Piano Sonatas

November 15, 2024
In this monumental survey, Shaham is revered as a "thrillingly expressive" interpreter of Mozart's works bringing "technical virtuosity and deftness" to performances that "connect directly with an audience." 
Avail yourself of the digital materials below, or contact us to request a physical copy of any or all of these CDs.
Hear more about the project in Orli's own words with this interview on Radio Free Brooklyn, and read a review of Volumes 5 and 6 in International Piano.
Stream all volumes here, and buy the limited edition box set on Amazon here.
This box set is produced by Erica Brenner, 2025 GRAMMY nominee for Producer of the Year (Classical).

Program Notes for Orli Shaham’s Mozart Piano Sonatas Volumes 5 & 6

October 2, 2024
On November 15, 2024 Canary Classics releases Orli Shaham’s complete Mozart Piano Sonatas in a special Limited Edition box set.
In each of the volumes’ liner notes, Orli and her team share insightful essays and interviews. Here are the notes for Volumes 5 & 6, by Donald Rosenberg. All volumes are currently available to stream and purchase individually. [Read More]

Program Notes for Orli Shaham’s Mozart Piano Sonatas Volume 4

September 24, 2024
On November 15, 2024 Canary Classics releases Orli Shaham’s complete Mozart Piano Sonatas in a special Limited Edition box set.
In each of the volumes’ liner notes, Orli and her team share insightful essays and interviews. Here are the notes for Volume 4, by Orli Shaham and Peter Dahm Robertson. All volumes are currently available to stream and purchase individually. [Read More]

Program Notes for Orli Shaham’s Mozart Piano Sonatas Volumes 2 & 3

September 13, 2024
On November 15, 2024 Canary Classics releases Orli Shaham’s complete Mozart Piano Sonatas in a special Limited Edition box set.
In each of the volumes’ liner notes, Orli and her team share insightful essays and interviews. The notes for Volumes 2 and 3 feature a conversation with Shaham and Andrew Stewart. All volumes are currently available to stream and purchase individually. [Read More]

Program Notes for Orli Shaham’s Mozart Piano Sonatas Volume 1

September 9, 2024
On November 15, 2024 Canary Classics releases Orli Shaham’s complete Mozart Piano Sonatas in a special Limited Edition box set.
In each of the volumes’ liner notes, Orli and her team share insightful essays and interviews. Here are the notes for Volume 1, by Andrew Stewart. All volumes are currently available to stream and purchase individually. [Read More]

On July 29, 2024, the pianist Orli Shaham performs Stumble to Grace by Steven Mackey with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

July 23, 2024
Shaham commissioned the concerto in 2011, premiered it with St. Louis Symphony and New Jersey Symphony and recorded it with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Canary Classics CC-11) (each of these ensembles were co-commissioners). At the time, she kept a journal about the process of commissioning, working with the composer, and learning the music.
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Pianist Orli Shaham on Tonebase

July 10, 2024
Beginning July 22, 2024, Tonebase subscribers can participate in a "Community Challenge" to learn new music through tutorials and performances created by Tonebase artist Orli Shaham. The pianists will learn selections from Karen Tanaka's recently published The Adventures of Anya and share their performances with fellow Tonebase members. At the end of the challenge, participants can attend a special live VIP Zoom event with pianist Orli Shaham and composer Karen Tanaka on August 24th, at 11am PT. Visit Tonebase online for more details.

Orli Shaham’s Piano Studio at The Juilliard School 2023-2024

June 25, 2024
One of the great joys that pianist Orli Shaham has immersed herself in is teaching. Since 2017, she’s been on faculty at The Juilliard School and Pre-College Division where she teaches piano, piano performance, and chamber music. The pride she has for her students and their accomplishments is immense. Here are some highlights of the achievements of Shaham’s students from the past year.

Insider Interview with Composer Karen Tanaka

June 18, 2024
Orli Shaham is pianist, narrator, and instructor in a new video series. The Adventures of Anya is a musical fairy tale with music and original story written for Shaham by Karen Tanaka, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. Originally published in the Japanese magazine Musica Nova, the series features 22 episodes with Shaham narrating the story, performing the music, and giving lessons on how to perform each of the corresponding compositions. (Full series available on Youtube)

Orli Shaham Interview on WWFM's "A Tempo"

March 12, 2024
Pianist Orli Shaham released the final volumes of her 6-disc recording cycle of Mozart’s complete piano sonatas in February 2024. In a recent interview with WWFM’s Rachel Katz, Shaham speaks about the recording project, Mozart’s longevity, championing women composers, and commissioning new works.

Praise for Shaham's Complete Mozart Piano Sonatas

March 12, 2024
The internationally renowned concert pianist Orli Shaham released the final two volumes of her multi-year endeavor of recording all of Mozart’s piano sonatas in February 2024. Volumes 5 & 6 of "Mozart: The Complete Piano Sonatas" (Canary Classics CC24) is available on CD and on digital streaming and download platforms. The complete box set with all six volumes will be released in spring 2024.

The Timely Significance of Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2

December 11, 2023
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the pianist Orli Shaham joins members of the Vancouver Symphony (USA) for a concert of chamber music at the First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA. Ms. Shaham, the Artist-in-Residence at the VSO has programmed works by Mozart and Poulenc alongside the Piano Trio No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Karen Tanaka's "Sensations" (premiered by Orli) being published by PSNY

November 10, 2023
Lietn to Orli's recording

Insider Interview with Pianist Orli Shaham

January 13, 2023
On January 27, 2023 Orli Shaham makes her Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra debut performing John Adams’ piano concerto “Why Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?” with David Robertson conducting. In this Insider Interview with Classical Music Communications, Shaham talks about the “gnarly,” aspects of the work, Martin Luther, working with the FRSO for the first time and more.
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Praise for Shaham's Mozart Piano Sonatas Vol. 2 & 3

November 28, 2022
Orli Shaham's latest addition to her complete Mozart Piano Sonatas project (rel. Aug 2022) has received accolades from around the globe. From Gramophone to World Music Report and beyond, here's what critics are saying ...

Gramophone Review: Mozart Piano Sonatas Vol. 2 & 3

November 23, 2022
The stylish intelligence and pianistic refinement distinguishing the first volume in Orli Shaham’s Mozart piano sonata cycle (released in 2020) continues into Vols 2 and 3.

Orli Shaham meets Clara Schumann descendant

November 15, 2022
Pianist Orli Shaham and Schumann's great-great-granddaughter Elizabeth Brumfeld in conversation at Pacific Symphony's Cafe Ludwig.

World premiere of David Robertson Piano Concerto

November 15, 2022
In October 2022, Orli Shaham gave the world premiere performance of David Robertson's piano concerto "Light Forming" with the Orlando Philharmonic led by Eric Jacobsen. Learn more about the piece in the composer's program notes here!
Photo: Christian Steiner

Pianist Orli Shaham joins Juilliard piano faculty

March 22, 2022
This week, the Juilliard School announced that Orli Shaham is joining the prestigious school's piano faculty in the 2022-23 academic year.
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Orli Shaham's essay "Why Beethoven?"

March 31, 2021
A 250th birthday celebration is a big deal. Only a miniscule number of figures from history merit a worldwide outpouring after so much time. So what is it about Beethoven that elicits such a personal reaction from masses of people? Even during an overwhelming pandemic, when people are wondering about whether their beloved holidays are actually worth celebrating, Beethoven birthday celebrations are still planned, virtually, all around the world. Why Beethoven?

Limelight Magazine reviews Orli Shaham's "Mozart Piano Sonatas"

January 15, 2021
Shaham finds key to Mozart we can sing along to.

Classical Music Sentinel reviews Orli Shaham's Mozart Sonatas Vol.1

October 26, 2020
Her playing is defined by expressive and varied phrasing, always convinced of where it's leading. She even makes Mozart's overuse of the Alberti bassline sound fresh and nuanced rather than a drudgery. And best of all is how she avoids the common pitfall of painting Mozart's portrait as a dainty child prodigy, and instead brings out his free and youthful spirit, an essential feature of his melodic lines.

Classical Classroom, Episode 213: Orli Shaham Talks Piano (Man)

July 21, 2020
How and why the piano came to be, what it is, and how to learn it.
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Orli Shaham launches "MidWeek Mozart"

April 3, 2020
Each Wednesday, Ms. Shaham brings you an exclusive: a movement of a Mozart sonata from her forthcoming recording.
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Classics Today reviews Orli Shaham "Mozart Concertos"

December 17, 2019
Marvelous Mozart From Orli Shaham and David Robertson.

MusicWeb International Review: Mozart Piano Concertos

October 10, 2019
Coupling two such theatrical concertos as these, and ones that sport theme and variations in their finales, makes good sense. It also marks the first commercial recording in 16 years for the St Louis Symphony under David Robertson, then nearing the end of his 13-year stint as music director. Who better to accompany, then, than his wife, Orli Shaham playing on a New York Steinway.

WXXI Classical: On Record with Orli Shaham and David Danzmayr

October 7, 2019
This week, your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes a new maestro and the return of a fan favorite. Conductor David Danzmayr and pianist Orli Shaham combine forces with the RPO for a concert of two temperamentally different symphonies and a songbird's concerto. Julia Figueras sat down in the WXXI studios to talk about the pieces, programming, and the power of music for the youngest listeners in Orli's Bach Yard.

International Piano Calls Orli Shaham's Mozart CD "Outstanding"

September 24, 2019
"[An] outstanding disc of Mozart piano concertos from Canary Classics...Orli Shaham's affection is never in doubt in K453, making you fall in love all over again with this most radiant of concertos..."

WFMT's New Releases with Lisa Flynn Highlights Mozart Concertos CD

By Lisa Flynn | August 27, 2019
Orli Shaham revels in the theatrical richness and breathtaking invention of Mozart’s piano concertos, joining forces with David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for this recording of No. 17 in G Major, K. 453, and No. 24 in C minor, K. 491. Shaham says, “The hope is to be able to highlight some aspect of the work that hasn’t been illuminated in that way before. The works are so rich and there are so many things you could bring out, there’s no way you could bring them all out in a single performance.”

Classical Source reviews Mozart Concertos

September 6, 2019
"...superbly recorded, well-judged balance between the piano and the ensemble ... Orli Shaham (sister of Gil) and David Robertson are at-one interpretatively (they are, as a secondary fact, married) and the SLS members are stylish and sympathetic confreres."

Texas Classical Review on Orli Shaham and the DSO

April 29, 2019
"Shaham and Robertson, with help from a flawless orchestral performance, created the sense of a musical event — if not a masterpiece, at least a brave work by an emerging musical genius."
Photo: Christian Steiner

Dallas News reviews Orli Shaham with the DSO

April 27, 2019
"...pianist Orli Shaham played with authority and élan."
Photo: Ben Torres / Special Contributor

Classical Post Profiles Orli Shaham

February 21, 2019 | Bethany R. McKay
Coupling two such theatrical concertos as these, and ones that sport theme and variations in their finales, makes good sense. It also marks the first commercial recording in 16 years for the St Louis Symphony under David Robertson, then nearing the end of his 13-year stint as music director. Who better to accompany, then, than his wife, Orli Shaham playing on a New York Steinway.

Five Stars from Classical Source for Orli Shaham and DSO

April 27, 2019
[Shaham] was terrific, and from memory, so inside the music, whether musing, scampering or jazzing, the latter being ‘The Masque’.
Photo: Christian Steiner

Pacific Symphony Blog: Pianist Orli Shaham Premieres David Robertson’s “A Goldberg Conjecture”

March 1, 2019 | Bethany R. McKay
On Sunday, Feb. 24, pianist and host of Pacific Symphony’s Café Ludwig, Orli Shaham performs the world premiere of David Robertson’s “A Goldberg Conjecture.” This new version of Bach’s Goldberg Variations re-imagines this famous solo harpsichord work for piano and string quartet.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra brings depth to program of Bartok, Tchaikovsky

January 27, 2019
"Shaham gave a commanding, powerful performance of the Bartok concerto, playing with a big, warm sound that was full of sometimes-bold and sometimes-subtle shifts in timbre and color."
Photo: Karjaka Studio

WQXR featured Valentines: Orli Shaham and David Robertson

February 14, 2018 | Merrin Lazyan
This Valentine's Day WQXR asked pianist Orli Shaham and conductor David Robertson about the joys and challenges of sharing their profession and their life — plus, top tips for long-lasting love.
Photo: Christian Steiner. Orli Shaham and David Robertson with dog Milo

Orli Shaham and the Orlando Phil search for the joy of communion in Bernstein's 'Age of Anxiety'

February 14, 2018
"We all feel we have something failing us in humanity, but at the same time we experience joy and connection with other human beings," says pianist Orli Shaham. "In this way the piece is timeless."
Photo courtesy of Orlando Philharmonic

Orli Shaham artist insights: Bernstein Symphony No. 3 "Age of Anxiety"

January 23, 2018
Bernstein's Age of Anxiety is a symphony, but it is also a piano concerto, which makes it quite interesting for me as the soloist.

A sparkling review of John Adams' "Grand Pianola Music" featuring Orli Shaham

August 5, 2015
"As this new, superb live recording, with Orli Shaham and Marc-André Hamelin as the two swashbuckling pianists shows, "Grand Pianola Music" ... Thirty years on, it’s still enormous fun, tongue in cheek but serious, too."
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Orli Shaham's "Brahms Inspired" appears on NY Times' Classical Playlist

June 24, 2015 | James Oestrich
"A treasurable album, which alternately soothes and tickles the ears."
Photo: Karjaka Studio

Orli Shaham on WQXR's Conducting Business Podcast: How Young is Too Young to Attend Concerts

October 30, 2014
What is the appropriate age for kids to start attending grown-up concerts? And how do you prepare them for the experience?
In this podcast, we get three views, from Orli Shaham, a pianist, mother of twins and artistic director of Baby Got Bach, a concert series intended for kids ages 3 to 6; Sedgwick Clark the editor of Musical America and a steadfast concert-goer around New York; and Susan Fox, a founder and publisher of the online forum Park Slope Parents.
Photo: John Johansen

Pianist's skill almost too good to be true

March 19, 2011
She performs with a conviction and power beyond her years, from her opening dramatic chords to florid passages and flashy bravura technique displayed throughout her performance.
Photo: Christian Steiner

Proms Debut

July 22, 2007
Every Proms season has its memorable nights, but this year's reached a pinnacle even before the first week was out when Kurt Masur chose to celebrate his 80th birthday with one hell of a party, inviting not one, but two orchestras and 6,000 adoring fans.

Music, Romance, and Life's Little Hurdles

February 14, 2013
It must be fate that scheduled married classical-music titans David Robertson and Orli Shaham on the same programat Powell Hall on Valentine’s Day weekend....As the pair demonstrates, humor—and the magic of two minds making music as one—goes a long way.
Photograph Courtesy of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra