Barto, Tzimon, (real name, John Barto Smith Jr.)
Barto, Tzimon, (real name, John Barto Smith Jr.)
Barto, Tzimon, (real name, John Barto Smith Jr.), American pianist, conductor, and composer; b. Eustis, Fia., Jan. 2, 1963. He was five when he began piano studies with his grandmother. After attending the Brevard Music Center (1978–79), he studied at the Tanglewood Inst., where he was named the most outstanding conducting student (1980); then pursued piano training with Adele Marcus at the Juilliard School in N.Y. (1981–84). In 1983 he captured first prize in the Gina Bachauer piano competition in Salt Lake City. In 1985 he made his formal debut as a pianist at the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, and subsequently was engaged as a soloist with leading orchs. and as a recitalist in principal music centers; also was active as a guest conductor. While his repertoire ranges from Bach to jazz, he has become particularly known for his performances of the 19th and 20th century piano literature.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire