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The French-born pianist, Michael Habermann, has lived in Canada (1957-1962), Mexico (1962-1972), and speaks fluent French and Spanish. His principal piano instructors have been Fernando Laires, Hilde Somer, and Carlos Vázquez. He also holds a Master's Degree in Composition from Long Island University (1979). In 1985 he was awarded a Doctorate by the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He now resides in the USA.
Michael Habermann made his New York debut in 1977 to rave reviews and has since given numerous performances, always to critical acclaim. His recitals have been heard on both the Voice of America and National Public Radio. His repertoire includes (hundreds of) works from all periods. He has given many premiéres of 20th-century works (Alfredo Casella, Chavez, Fricker, Halffter, Leighton, Ponce, Rieti, Silvestre, Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, Spier...) and was the soloist in the world premiére (1975) of Eugene Glickman's Concerto for Piano and Percussion. He has recorded an album of piano music by the Portuguese composer Alexandre Rey Colaço and other recordings are available.
Michael Habermann's intense study of the music of English-Parsi composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji has resulted in five highly acclaimed world-première recordings. In 1979, K.S. Sorabji dedicated Il Grido del Gallino d'Oro, a 100-page piano work to him. The topic of his dissertation was K.S. Sorabji, with whose music he is internationally associated. Reviews describe his recordings in glowing terms.
As educator Michael Habermann has wide-ranging personal and classroom teaching experience with children, adults, and degree candidates (at the Peabody Institute, Morgan State University and Towson State University). He is a popular Elderhostel lecturer and has also become a sought-after juror for piano competitions.
Michael Habermann has been the subject of many press and radio interviews and has been listed in numerous books, Who's Who, and encyclopedias. His recent writings include a chapter in a book on Vladimir Horowitz edited by David Dubal and a chapter in Sorabji: A Critical Celebration, edited by Paul Rapoport. He is a composer of instrumental, vocal, and piano works, and has written a number of piano transcriptions. |
