About Richard Urbis

RICHARD URBIS, pianist-composer   

Richard Urbiš holds a Masters Degree and an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School of Music, and has successfully competed and performed in numerous international competitions, including the Tchaikovsky Competition (Moscow), Chopin Competition (Warsaw), Beethoven Competition (Vienna), and was a finalist in the New York Chopin Association Competition. His playing has been featured on numerous national and international radio shows, and he has performed throughout the United States, Mexico, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Germany, Slovak Republic, Poland and Russia. He was a Professor of Music at The University of Texas at Brownsville. Recently, he was granted the Professor Emeritus Award for the University of Texas system.

As a pianist, in September 2011 Richard Urbiš performed a concert in St. Petersburg, Russia for the Herzen State Pedagogical University music department. In 2009, he performed a concerto with the Tamaulipas State Orchestra in Tampico, Mexico. In 2008-2009, he performed four concerts in Mexico City as well as concerts in Puebla and Cholula, Mexico. Notable concerts during the twenty first century include the Pro Musica in Detroit, Michigan; orchestral performances with the Monterrey Symphony in Monterrey, Mexico and with The State Orchestra of Nuevo Leon in Puebla, Mexico and the Valley Symphony Orchestra. Other recitals were presented in Houston, Washington, D.C. (Czech Embassy); and in Prague (Dvořak Museum) and Marianske Lazne (Czech Republic) among others. In April 2009, he performed a concert at the South Padre Island Convention Center for the El Paseo Arts Foundation. His compact disc, “Music from Prague: 200 Years of Czech Piano Music is a critically acclaimed success.

In the summer of 2014, he performed in the Budapest Chopin Festival. Most recently, he appeared in concert at the Conservatoire Slave de Musique during April 2016 in Paris, France.

As a composer, Urbiš has received world premieres by notable ensembles. The Dallas Symphony premiered his “Suite for Chamber Orchestra” and the Catalina Chamber Orchestra of Tucson, Arizona premiered his “Symphony: St. Joan of Arc.” The New York City ensemble, Trio Sonata, performed his “Two Icons” for Flute, Oboe and Guitar thirty five times on tour throughout the United States. His “Transfiguration of Jesus Christ” was premiered by faculty members of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In 1996, his work “From the Book of Daniel II” melodrama for piano and dramatic speaker was given its world premiere by renowned former Metropolitan Opera Tenor, Grayson Hirst, as the speaker with Richard Urbiš at the piano. On September 2011, he gave the European premiere of “The Family United” in St. Petersburg, Russia. Urbiš champions the work of other composers. In Prague, he performed the European premiere of “Six Pieces” by renowned Czech-American composer, Robert Dvořak. Presently, Urbiš is working on an opera based on the book of Daniel and other projects. Most recently, he was a double winner out of 67 entries for The College Music Society March 2013 South Central Convention Composers Competition. There, he performed both works chosen, “Metamorphosis l: Chopin” and “Harpsichord Sonata in D.”

PIANO CONCERT REVIEWS:

”…He proceeded to perform as a world class virtuoso…” –Zemske Noviny and Sobotni Slovo (Prague)

“…an outstanding performance before the listeners of this nation…” -Informacni Bulletin Československo Ustavu Zahranichini (Prague)

“…He left convincing evidence that he is a fine pianist…” –El Porvenir (Monterrey, Mexico)

COMPOSITION REVIEWS:

“…This music literally soars…” –The Graham Leader (Dallas metroplex)

“…The day’s true premiere… displays the traditional American openness to broad lyricism…” --The Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)