Grant Johannesen is one of this country's most important and distinguished artists. Harold Schonberg of The New York Times wrote, "One is apt to forget how strong a technician Mr. Johannesen is, because he so seldom engages in sheer display. He remains one of the finest American pianists and is a superior musician. Few pianists give so satisfactory a recital."

His regular engagements with the great American orchestras, together with his annual appearance with distinguished European symphonic ensembles and his recitals on the national and international festival circuit have elicited the highest critical praise. In addition, he has been chosen to be the only soloist on tours by the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Jackson is pleased to welcome Mr. Johannesen for the fourth time. His past performances of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto in 1983, Rachmaninoff s 2nd Piano Concerto in 1986 and in 1989 both the Gershwin F major Concerto and the Ravel G major Concerto have been among the finest moments of music making in JSO history. To be able to perform with him this first performance of the concerto which he commissioned is, indeed, an honor.

Known for his expansive and eclectic repertoire, Mr. Johannesen has collaborated with most of the important conductors of our time, including George Szell, Georg Solti, Lorin Maazel, Erich Leinsdorf, SeiJi Ozawa, Rafael Kubelik, Wolfgang Sawallisch and Klaus Tennstedt.

The catalogue of his recordings reveals the wide range of his musicianship. He was the first artist to record the complete piano works of Gabriel Faure and is a staunch champion of music by American composers as well. In 1985, Mr. Johannesen was nominated to the rank of "Chevalier des Arts et Lettre" by the French government for his substantial contribution to French music through his performances and recordings.