Orkis, Lambert (Thomas)

Orkis, Lambert (Thomas), distinguished American pianist, fortepianist, and teacher; b. Philadelphia, April 20, 1946. He was a student of Guglielmo Sabbatini (1951–55) and Eleanor Sokoloff (1955–60), continuing his training with the latter at the Curtis Inst. of Music in Philadelphia (diploma, 1965; B.M., 1966). He also studied with Maryan Filar at Temple Univ. (M.M., 1968). In 1957 he made his debut as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orch. under the direction of William Smith. In 1968 he joined the faculty of Temple Univ., where he taught for over 30 years. From 1976 to 1987 he was the pianist of the 20^th Century Consort, and from 1986 to 1989 of the American Chamber Players. He became principal keyboard player of the National Sym. Orch. in 1982 and the pianist of the Smithsonian Chamber Players in 1983 in Washington, D.C. In 1988 he also became fortepianist in the Castle Trio. In 1993 he made his European debut as a soloist in Richard Wernick’s Piano Concerto with the Residentie Orch. in The Hague under the composer’s direction. In addition to his various positions, Orkis has pursued an acclaimed career as a chamber music artist of the highest distinction. He has appeared regularly with Mstislav Rostropovich (from 1981), Lucy Shelton (from 1981), and Anne-Sophie Mutter (from 1988), and also with Arleen Auger (1987–90). During 1998, Orkis and Mutter appeared in various music centers of the world in compelling performances of complete cycles of the Beethoven violin sonatas. They began their tour in Hannover on Jan. 26, and then played in such cities as Berlin, Zürich, Madrid, Amsterdam, Rome, N.Y., Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, Dresden, Milan, Paris, London, Shanghai, Seoul, Buenos Aires, and Vienna before ending it with a benefit concert at the Beethovenhaus in Bonn on Dec. 17. Orkis maintains an extensive repertoire, beginning with Bach and traversing the 19^th and 20^th centuries. In addition to his discerning interpretations of such masters as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, Debussy, and Ravel, he has played much contemporary music, including works written for him by George Crumb, James Primosch, Wernick, and Maurice Wright.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire