Brian Gilling, Piano, Conductor & Music Director
Pianist-conductor Brian Gilling has distinguished himself as an exceptionally versatile musician and collaborator. Based in New York City and performing extensively across the Northeast, he has garnered acclaim for both his adept leadership and engaging performances. He has received praise for his "surehanded leadership" (New York Times) and his "thorough musicianship" (PGH in the Round).
Brian has worked with orchestras and opera companies in Europe and across the US. This season, he music directed and conducted LoftOpera’s production of “Pergolesi & Vivaldi” and Undercroft Opera’s La Rondine. In 2015, he conducted the world premier of Davis Good’s Echo, a one act opera, at Pittsburgh Opera. He has served as assistant conductor on a number of other productions including Otello, Don Giovanni, Albert Herring, and others.
A passionate advocate for new music, Brian serves as music director, pianist, and conductor for NAT 28, a new music ensemble based in Pittsburgh. He has worked extensively with living composers and presented premieres at the piano and from the podium of works by Jean-Patrick Besingrand, Erberk Eryilmaz, Etienne Rolin, Curtis Rumrill, Peter Kramer, and more.
Brian is the pianist and co-founder of the award-winning Lîla Quartet. Their recording of Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time is expected to be released by the end of this year. He has also collaborated with baritone Joel Goodloe, pianists Dimitri Papadimitriou, Nathan Carterette, Amaury Morales, and many more.
Brian received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music in Pittsburgh. His principal teachers included Sergey Schepkin, Daniel Curtis, Robert Page, and Brian Garman.
More about Brian at www.briangilling.com