Dr. Matthew Bengtson

Biography

Critically acclaimed 'musician’s pianist,' Matthew Bengtson exhibits a unique combination of musical talents, proving himself as an extraordinary pianist, composer, analyst, writer, and scholar of performance practice. He is a dedicated educator and advocate for contemporary music, performing diverse repertoires ranging from William Byrd to numerous contemporary composers. Bengtson has performed concerts as both a soloist and collaborator in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Mexico, Washington, DC, and Monticello, including solo recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. He is also recognized for his recordings on various labels such as Albany and IBS Classical. Notable among his achievements, his complete recordings of Scriabin's Piano Sonatas have been praised for their tonal richness and dazzling technique. His research on Szymanowski mazurkas earned him the Stefan Wanda Wilk Prize in Polish Music. Bengtson is committed to historical performance practice, employing original performance techniques informed by the music’s historical context. He teaches at the University of Michigan and has also instructed at other prestigious institutions. His wide-ranging educational background includes a BM in Computer Science from Harvard and advanced degrees from Peabody Institute.

Research Interests