American classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein has redefined how the modern world perceives classical music. Born and raised in New York City, she received a thorough musical education and worked as a music teacher. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2007 with the release of her incredibly masterful recording of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” Since then, the pianist has released numerous recordings, begun performing and touring, and fully realized her talent. Here’s a deeper look into her life and artistic journey on newyorka.
Early Life, Family, and Education
Simone Andrea Dinnerstein was born on September 18, 1972, in New York City to Renee and Simon Dinnerstein. Her mother, a former elementary school teacher, now runs her own successful blog. Simone’s father is an artist, as is her uncle, Harvey. Growing up in such a creative environment, she showed an early aptitude for music. Her parents supported her passion and helped her pursue a classical music education.
Simone studied at the Manhattan School of Music under Solomon Mikowsky. At 15, she auditioned for the renowned Italian pianist Maria Curcio in London. It was during this trip that Simone first met her future husband, Jeremy Greensmith.
Afterward, she returned to the U.S. and enrolled at the Juilliard School. However, at 18, she decided to leave Juilliard to continue her studies with Curcio in London, where she spent six years. Eventually, she returned to Juilliard, studying with Peter Serkin.
Simone Dinnerstein’s Breakthrough and Musical Career
After completing her studies, Simone Dinnerstein worked as a music teacher and embarked on her professional music career. Little is known about her early professional years. The pianist’s breakthrough came in 2007 when the Telarc label released her recording of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” The album immediately gained immense popularity. Within the first week of its commercial release, it topped the Billboard Classical CD sales chart.
The recording was subsequently recognized as a top pick by:
- The New York Times
- The New Yorker
- Los Angeles Times
- Time Out New York
- iTunes “Editor’s Choice: Best Classical Music”
- Amazon.com “Best CDs of 2007”
- Barnes & Noble’s Top 5 Debut CD
Following this success, Dinnerstein recorded a live concert at the Berlin Philharmonic. During this performance, she played Aaron Copland’s “Piano Variations” and Anton Webern’s “Variations,” pieces she hadn’t previously recorded. She also performed Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in G major, Twelve Variations on a Bach Chorale by composer Philip Lasser, and Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111. The recording was released in 2008.
Subsequently, Simone Dinnerstein performed extensively in solo concerts and as a chamber musician. She was also invited to perform at a bard music festival. As a piano soloist, she toured with the Dresden and Czech Philharmonics and performed with the symphony orchestras of Jerusalem, Stuttgart, New Jersey, and New York.
In 2010, the pianist signed with Sony Classical. Her first album with the label, “Bach: A Strange Beauty,” was released in 2011 and became another success. Within its first week, the disc topped the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart. It also became a bestseller on Barnesandnoble and ranked second in sales on Amazon. Following this, Simone was invited to appear on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Dinnerstein’s second album with Sony Classical, “Something Almost Being Said: Music of Bach and Schubert,” was released in early 2012.
The following year, the pianist released a collaborative album with singer-songwriter Tift Merritt titled “Night.” Additionally, the album “Bach Re-Invented” was released, featuring Dinnerstein’s masterful performance of original Bach works alongside new compositions based on his music by Daniel Schnyder, Tom Trapp, and Gene Pritsker. In 2014, Sony released Bach’s “Inventions and Sinfonias” performed by Simone Dinnerstein.
This collaboration proved highly fruitful, as 2015 saw the release of a new recording featuring Dinnerstein as a soloist, titled “Broadway-Lafayette.” This album included Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and a new concerto previously written for her by Philip Lasser. The Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra accompanied this recording.
Personal Life
Simone Dinnerstein currently resides in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Her husband, Jeremy Smith, was a journalist in London before their marriage, where he first met a 15-year-old Simone. After moving from the UK to the U.S., he became a teacher at a New York City elementary school. Interestingly, their son, Adrian, attended that very school.
In 2009, the pianist launched the “Neighborhood Classics” concert series. These concerts were open to the public and held in conjunction with New York City public schools to raise funds for educational development.