Sonata Sonatina Festival Guest Recital - Winston Choi, Piano

Fine and Performing Arts Calendar of Events

Saturday, November 14, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Wentz Concert Hall
Pricing: $7

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Canadian pianist Winston Choi is Professor and Program Director of Piano at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Winner of France’s Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d’Orléans and Laureate of the Honens International Piano competition, he is internationally recognized for his bold interpretations of the standard repertoire and his unwavering commitment to contemporary music. He appears worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.

Choi has performed concerti with numerous North American and international orchestra, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Calgary Philharmonic, Victoria Symphony, l’Orchestre National de Lille, and Colombia’s national orchestra. His solo recitals have brought him to major venues such as Carnegie-Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy Center, and France’s Salle Cortot. A prolific chamber musician, he tours widely as a member of Civitas Ensemble, Duo Diorama (with violinist MingHuan Xu), and Trio Diorama (with Xu and cellist Nick Photinos), and recently performed with Matthias Goerne at the Ravinia Festival. A passionate advocate for new music, Choi has premiered and commissioned over 100 works. His recordings include Elliott Carter’s complete piano music, Jacques Lenot’s works (winner of the Grand Prix du Disque), and music by Thomas Adès. He appears on labels such as BIS, Cedille, and Naxos and is a core member of Ensemble Dal Niente. He earned degrees from Indiana and Northwestern Universities and studied with Menahem Pressler and Ursula Oppens. A dedicated pedagogue, Choi is also in demand as a masterclass clinician and conference presenter, sharing insights on phrasing, technique, and interpretation.

Choi will present a program that moves from the music of Schubert and Beethoven to a collection of works inspired by water. Following intermission, music by Amy Beach, Mel Bonis, Szymanowski, Takemitsu, Debussy, Murail, Decaux, and Godowsky explores water in its many forms, from stillness and movement to reflection and resonance. Together, the works offer a journey through different approaches to sound, color, and texture at the piano.