“…one
of the most promising
performers of the 21st century,
so much so that no one would
doubt that he may well become
a figure of worldwide prominence.” LA NUEVA ESPANA
DARRETT ZUSKO
Rapidly establishing himself as one of today’s most
electrifying young concert artists, Canadian pianist Darrett
Zusko continues to garner much critical acclaim wherever
he performs. “Clearly a phenom…” raves
the Cincinnati Enquirer, he has been praised for having
a “powerful technique and sonority” (La Presse)
and “exceptional musicality and virtuosity”
(La Nueva España – Spain).
Still in his early twenties, Mr. Zusko has already been
repeatedly engaged as soloist with many of today’s
leading orchestras, including those of Toronto, Cincinnati,
Montréal, Ottawa, Niagara, and Louisiana, having
collaborated with conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Victor
Feldbrill, Jacques Lacombe, Erich Kunzel and John Morris
Russell to name but a few. A top prizewinner at the prestigious
Montréal International Musical Competition and the
New Orleans International Piano Competition, he is also
the recipient of numerous other awards including the first
prize and people’s choice award at the Canadian Music
Competitions International Stepping Stone, and first prizes
at both the Bartók-Kabalevsky-Prokofiev and Oberlin
International Piano Competitions.
Recent and upcoming season highlights include touring
for Jeunesses Musicales of Canada and under the auspices
of Debut Atlantic, appearing as guest artist at major festivals
including the Festival of the Sound, the Guelph Spring Festival,
Festival Vancouver and the Festival de Lanaudière,
as well as collaborating with a number of well-known chamber
ensembles including the Allegri and Borealis String Quartets.
Notable venues he has performed at with orchestra and in
recital include Place des Arts, Roy Thomson Hall, Massey
Hall, Glenn Gould Studio, Centre Pierre-Péladeau,
the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, and many
others. As an artist frequently heard on CBC Radio and Radio-Canada
broadcasts, Mr. Zusko has been featured on such shows as
In Performance, Symphony Hall, and Music Around Us.
Of significant importance in Zusko’s career has
been his collaboration with renowned Canadian composer Harry
Somers, shortly before Somers’ death. After working
with Somers in Toronto, Mr. Zusko gave the premiere of his
final work for solo piano. He was later invited to perform
the work at the composer’s memorial and recently finished
recording it for the Harry Somers Recording Project –
an ongoing mission to preserve his complete works on CD.
Born in Windsor Ontario in 1984, Darrett Zusko began studying
the piano at the age of four. He has since worked with such
distinguished artists as Anton Kuerti, Matti Raekallio,
Jerome Lowenthal, Marek Jablonski, Leon Fleisher and Dominique
Weber. For seven years he took lessons with Dr. Gregory
Butler in Windsor and prior to college studied extensively
with renowned pianist Ronald Turini, one of the few privileged
students of the legendary Vladimir Horowitz. In September
of 2002, Zusko continued his studies in New York City with
Julian Martin and currently holds two diplomas from the
celebrated Juilliard School. Mr. Zusko is a Yamaha Artist.
