Education:

M.S., Juilliard School of Music - 1967 (Piano)

B.A., Radcliffe College - 1965 (English Literature)

Areas of Expertise:

Oppens is a pianist. She is interested in what is primarily considered Western classical music as well as jazz from all periods of the past and present and the creative work of living composers.

Books and Publications

Oppens Plays Kaminsky, Cedille Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2021

Erhard Grosskopf: Plejaden; KlangWerk 11 with Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, NEOS Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2018

The Music of William Bolcolm, Naxos Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2017

Frederic Rzewski: "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" and "Four Hands" (with Jerome Lowenthal), Cedille Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2015

Meredith Monk: "Piano Songs" with Bruce Brubaker, ECM Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2014

"Seq Transit Parammers" from Richard Teitelbaum, Piano Plus, New World Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2013

Schoenberg: Cabaret Songs, Lieder Op. 2, and Book of the Hanging Gardens, Op. 15 with Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Music & Arts Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2013

The Complete Music of Carl Ruggles, (Vox Clamans in Deserto) ,Speculum Musicae CBS Masterworks - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2012

Vytautas Bacevičius Septiėme Mot, opus 73 (with Gabrielius Alekna), Toccata Classics - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2012

Winging It: Piano Music of John Corigliano (with Jerome Lowenthal), Cedille Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2011

Two-Piano Music of Messiaen and Debussy with Jerome Lowenthal, Cedille Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2010

Complete Piano Works of Tobias Picker, Schott Music (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 2009

Stefan Wolpe Songs, Volume V, Bridge Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2009

Stravinsky & Friends: University of Florida Wind Symphony, (Concerto for Piano & Winds) - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2009

Oppens Plays Carter: Complete Piano Music of Elliott Carter, Cedille Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2008

Tobias Picker- "Keys to the City" Complete Piano Music of Tobias Picker, Wergo Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2008

Richard Wilson: Concert Piece for Violin and Piano with Rolf Schulte, New World Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2007

William Barnewitz: Long Road Home, (Mozart Quintet for Piano & Winds, Music by Bach, Strauss, & Brahms) Avie Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2007

Beethoven: Sonatas Opus 106 and 22, Music & Arts Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2006

Joan Tower: Chamber and Solo Music, Naxos Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2005

Elliot Carter: Quintets and Voices, Mode Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2004

Julius Hemphill: One Atmosphere, Tzadik Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2003

The Centennial Commission: The School of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Joan Tower's Rapids with the Symphony Orchestra - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2003

An Irving Fine Celebration At The Library Of Congress with Ida Kavafian, Bridge Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2002

Rita Dove & Amnon Wolman: Thomas and Beulah with Cynthia Haymon, Innova Recordings - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2002

Allen Shawn: Piano Concerto with Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2001

Elliot Carter: Piano Concerto with SWR Symphony Orchestra, Arte Nova Classics - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2001

Winds of Nagual: Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, (Stravinsky Concerto for Piano & Winds) Summit Education - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2001

Carnegie Hall Millenium Piano Book and CD, Boosey & Hawkes (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 2000

Carnegie Hall Millenium Piano Book and CD, Boosey & Hawkes - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 2000

Keyboard Classics (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 1999

Elliot Carter: Chamber Music, Montaigne Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1998

Allen Shawn: Sextet and Other Works, NorthEastern Classical Arts - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1997

Frederic Rzewski: Night Crossing. Works for One and Two Pianos, Music and Arts Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1997

Joan Towers: Concerto with Louisville Orchestra, d'Note Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1997

American Piano Music of Our Time: Two Volumes, Music & Arts Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1995

Francis Thorne: Piano Concerto No. 3 with The Westchester Philharmonic, New World Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1994

Remembering Horowitz (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 1993

David Lang: Are You Experienced? Illumination Rounds with Rolf Schulte, CRI Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1992

Brahms: Sonatas Op. 120, No. 1 & No.2, with Barbara Westphal, Bridge Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1990

Concorso Pianistico Internazionale, Volume III,(Schumann Carnival) Nuova Era Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1988

Keyboard Magazine (1987-88) (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 1988

John Harbison: Variations, Northeastern Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1987

Joseph Schwantner: Distant Rune And Incantations with Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1987

Alvin Curran: For Corenlius/Era Ora with Frederic Rzewski, New Albion Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1986

Elliot Carter: Piano Concerto with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, New World Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1986

John Adams: Grand Pianola Music with Solisti New York, EMI Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1985

Three Polyphonic Masterpieces For Two Piano with Paul Jacobs, Nonesuch Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1984

Anthony Braxton: For Two Pianos with Frederic Rzewski, Arista Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1982

Company: Epiphany, INCUS - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1982

Igor Stravinsky: The Four-Hand Petrouchka /Three Pieces For String Quartet with Paul Jacobs, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1982

Elliot Carter: A Mirror On Which To Dwell with Speculum Musicae, CBS Masterworks - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1981

The Dartmouth Composers, Music From Dartmouth Label - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1981

Music of Tobias Picker, CRI Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1980

Feldman: Spring of Chosroes & Schnabel: Sonata for Violin and Piano with Paul Zukofsky, CP2 Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1979

John Harbison: The Flower-Fed Buffaloes with Speculum Musicae, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1979

Frederic Rzewski: "The People United Will Never Be Defeated", Vanguard Classics - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1978

Igor Stravinsky: Music For Two Pianos & Piano Four Hands with Paul Jacobs, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1978

Lieberson/Lundborg- Instrumental Music, CRI Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1976

Carla Bley: 3/4, WATT Works - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1975

Music of Otto Luening, CRI Records - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1975

Donald Martino & Charles Wuorinen: Notturno & Speculum Speculi with Speculum Musicae, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1974

Peter Maxwell Davies: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano with Gerard Schwarz, Nonesuch - CD (Books and Publications: Article (Other)) 1972

Creative Work

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, FEBURARY 2, 2019, IN HONOR OF MS. OPPENS' 75TH BIRTHDAY AT MERKIN HALL:
-Piano works written for Ms. Oppens by Elliott Carter and John Corigliano.
-Tobias Picker's Ursula for solo piano, a birthday present for his dear friend and collaborator.
-World Premieres of a piano quintet by Laura Kaminsky with the Cassatt String Quartet -Entered 2020

CHAMBER MUSIC COLLABORATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS:
Founding Member of the Speculum Musicae (1971 - 1982).
Performed with the Arditti, Brentano, Cassatt, Emerson, Jack, Juilliard, Mendelssohn, Pacifica, Rossetti, Tokyo, and Vermeer String Quartet. -Entered 2020

MUSIC FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS:
Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, Festival in Ulzen, Germany, Amalfi Coast Festival, Musicfest Perugia, Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy, Tanglewood, Aspen, Beijing International Music Festival and Academy, Bridgehampton, Cabrillo, Great Lakes Chamber Music, International Keyboard Institute and Festival (Mannes College), Las Vegas Music, Monadnock, Mostly Mozart (Lincoln Center), Music Academy of the West, Ojai, Ravinia, Reykjavik Midsummer Music, Santa Fe, Saratoga, Sitka Chamber Music Festival, Tanglewood, Bath, Bergamo, Edinburgh, Holland, Huddersfield, Kuchmo, London Proms, Montreal Chamber Music Festival, Music Today, Japan, South Bank, Stresa, Wien Modern. -Entered 2020

ORCHESTRAS PERFORMED WITH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS:
Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Berkeley, The Boston Pops, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Toledo, Wheeling, American Composers Orchestra, Women's Philharmonic, St. Paul and Los Angeles chamber orchestras, Barcelona, Beethovenhalle Bonn, Orchesta of La Scala, ORF (Austrian Radio Orchestra), RAI Turin, Rotterdam, Scottish BBC, Stockholm, Südwestfunk, Suisse Romande, London Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic. -Entered 2020

SOLO RECITALS IN MAJOR HALLS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS in Europe, the United States, and Asia including:
Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, Orchestra Hall, Konzerthaus Wien, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Théatre des Champs-Elysées, Teatro São Carlo, Concert Hall of the Forbidden City, Beijing, Central America, Brazil, Russia. -Entered 2020

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Honorary Doctorate: New England Conservatory (Awards and Honors) 2019

Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2012-present) (Awards and Honors) 2019

GRAMMY NOMINATIONS:
-Frederic Rzewski's "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" on Cedille Records (2016)
-Winging It: The Piano Music of John Corigliano (2011)
-Oppens Plays Carter (2009)
-American Piano Music of Our Time (1990)
-Frederic Rzewski's "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" on Vanguard Records (1980) (Awards and Honors) 1980

Professional Leadership

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PANELIST:
-Koussevitsky Foundation
-Naumburg Foundation
-Amphion Foundation (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
-Concert Artists Guild until 2019
-Musical Observations
-Copland Fund for Music
-Koussevitsky Foundation
-The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation
-American Academy of Arts and Science (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020

Pedagogical Achievements

MS. OPPENS' CUNY STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Han Chen, finalist in Honens (Canada) International Piano Competition 2018
-Imri Talgam, first prize in Orleans (France) International Piano Competition 2014
-Wayne Weng, first prize in Iowa International Piano Competition 2013

MASTERCLASSES 2010-PRESENT:
-Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival
-Festival in Ulzen, Germany
-Amalfi Coast Festival
-Musicfest Perugia
-Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy
-Musicfest Perugia, Taipei
-University of Washington
-Arizona State University Masterclass
-Royal Academy of Music, London
-Alberta Pianofest Society
-Edward Aldwell Institute, Jerusalem
-Blodgett Distinguished Artist Residency, Harvard University 2010

Other Professional Activities

MEMBER, JURY OF PIANO COMPETITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS:
-The Cincinnati World Piano Competition.
-Concert Artists Guild
-Young Concert Artists
-Young Pianists Foundation (Amsterdam)
-Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts School of Music Competition
-American Pianists Association
-Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
-Busoni International Piano Competition
-International Piano Competition of Orléans, France. -Entered 2020