“…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
Still in his early twenties and rapidly establishing himself
as one of the most exciting young artists of the new generation,
Canadian pianist Darrett Zusko continues to garner much
critical acclaim wherever he performs. “Clearly a
phenom…” raves The Cincinnati Enquirer, he has
been lauded for his “powerful technique and sonority”
(La Presse) and his “exceptional musicality and virtuosity”
(La Nueva España).
Having been engaged by such noted symphonic ensembles
as the Cincinnati, Montréal, and Toronto Symphony
Orchestras, in addition to the Ottawa Symphony, Niagara
Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic under the batons of
JoAnn Falletta, Victor Feldbrill, Jacques Lacombe, Erich
Kunzel and John Morris Russell to name but a few, Mr. Zusko
is fast becoming one of Canada’s most sought-after
soloists.
Recent and upcoming season highlights include recital tours
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, MusicFest Vancouver
(formerly 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.
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, Next!, and Music Around Us.
Notable venues he has performed at with orchestra and in
recital include Place des Arts, Roy Thomson Hall, Massey
Hall, Glenn Gould Studio, Salle Pierre-Mercure, and the
St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts among many others.
A winner of numerous prestigious awards, Darrett Zusko
was a top prizewinner at the Montréal International
Musical Competition and the New Orleans International Piano
Competition, and also won 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.
An enthusiastic supporter of Canadian music, Darrett Zusko’s
debut album showcases the solo piano works of the late Torontonian
Oskar Morawetz and was released in April 2009 to great critical
acclaim on the Centrediscs label. Having also been privileged
to work with the well-known composer Harry Somers shortly
before his death, Mr. Zusko premiered his final work for
solo piano and has recently recorded it for Centrediscs’
‘A Window on Somers’ series of recordings.
Born inWindsor Ontario in 1984, Darrett Zusko took an interest
to the piano at the early age of four and soon began his
formal training with Dr. Gregory Butler. Following a number
of years of study with renowned pianist Ronald Turini (himself
a student of the legendary Vladimir Horowitz), Zusko decided
to pursue his training in New York City at the celebrated
Juilliard School, where he worked with Julian Martin. He
has also studied with Anton Kuerti, Matti Raekallio, Jerome
Lowenthal, Marek Jablonski and Leon Fleisher.
