Bio

2026 GRAMMY® Nominee Adam Tendler has been called a "daring pianist" of "adventurousness and muscular skill" (The New York Times), "the hottest pianist on the American contemporary classical scene" (Minneapolis Star Tribune), a “relentlessly adventurous” (Washington Post), "remarkable and insightful musician" (LA Times), an "intrepid... maverick pianist" (The New Yorker), a "new music evangelist" (Time Out NY), and "one of contemporary classical music's most intentional and daring pianists" (Seven Days). "If you're a cutting-edge composer these days," said CBS Sunday Morning's Lee Cowan, "you want Adam to perform your pieces."

A pioneer of DIY culture in classical music, at age 23 Tendler performed solo recitals in all fifty states as part of a grassroots tour, the subject of his acclaimed memoir, 88x50. He has since become one of classical music's most recognized and celebrated artists, recently appearing in his own CBS Sunday Morning feature, receiving Lincoln Center's Emerging Artist Award, the Yvar Mikhashoff Prize, and appearing as soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, LA Phil, Sydney Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, NJ Symphony, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, as well as on the main-stages of Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, the Barbican Centre, Sydney Opera House, BAM, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Milan Fashion Week, Venice Biennale, and other leading stages worldwide.
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Tendler's commissions range from major works by Christian Wolff to Devonté Hynes, and his program of 16 new commissions using the entire inheritance left to him by his father after his unexpected death, including works by Laurie Anderson, Nico Muhly, and Missy Mazzoli, was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, is a 2026 GRAMMY® Nominee for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, and a New York Times Critic Pick, which called the project "a display of contemporary compositional force... a true show...emotionally involving...with a sense of true dramatic stakes," adding, "You will be moved, profoundly and intensely." The Washington Post wrote, "the biggest emotional gut punch I got from a concert all year." Tendler is also featured on Wild Up's GRAMMY-nominated third volume of Julius Eastman's music. He has additionally released albums of music by Franz Liszt, Robert Palmer, Julius Eastman, Edward T. Cone, and his own original work.

Tendler’s 2024 immersive installation, Exit Strategy, as Green-wood Cemetery’s artist in residence, received national attention and engaged hundreds of contributing community members. He is the author of two books, a Yamaha Artist, and serves on the piano faculty of NYU.