Performance Music to Host Pianist John Wilson on Saturday, May 16
Northeastern Pennsylvania native John Wilson, a critically acclaimed pianist, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at The University of Scranton's Houlihan-McLean Center. The performance is free to attend and open to the public.On Saturday, May 16, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a recital by critically and popularly acclaimed pianist and Northeastern Pennsylvania native John Wilson. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.
“It is always a special pleasure to extend a warm welcome home to a world-renowned musician like John, who grew up in our area,” says Performance Music Executive Director, Janelle Decker.
A native of the Mid Valley area near Scranton, Wilson serves as orchestral pianist for the San Francisco Symphony; principal keyboard for the Marin Symphony, San Diego Symphony and Oakland Symphony; and is critically and popularly acclaimed for his extraordinary artistry and commanding presence. Last season cemented his reputation as a defining voice in American solo piano, beginning with a sold-out Carnegie Hall recital. In addition to his near-constant orchestral work, he performed solo concerti with San Francisco Philharmonic, Marin Symphony and Merced Symphony. He teaches at San Francisco Conservatory. His recording of Gershwin transcriptions by Earl Wild surpassed 1 million streams in its first year. He appears on two GRAMMY‑winning recordings with San Francisco Symphony and on “GRACE: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas.”
Wilson has performed with violinist Joshua Bell; cellist Johannes Moser; and iconic vocalists Frederica von Stade, Sasha Cooke and Michael Feinstein; played on international tours with the San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and Esa-Pekka Salonen; and made guest appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. A passionate advocate for new music, he has premiered works by Michael Tilson Thomas, John Adams, Steve Reich, Timo Andres and Gabriela Lena Frank.
Wilson’s outstanding performances and artistry have garnered widespread recognition and critical acclaim both domestically and internationally, earning him First Prize at the 2019 International Respighi Prize, the 2021 American Competition and the 2023 Ernst Bacon Memorial Award — the latter honoring exemplary performances of American music. Earlier milestones include a last-minute triumph in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at the Sun Valley Music Festival — praised as “breathtakingly assured” by Idaho Press — and a standout performance of Mozart’s K. 491 at the 50th Anniversary Midsummer Mozart Festival.
For further information on the recital, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit the Performance Music website. For more info on Wilson, visit johnwilsonpiano.com.
IF YOU GO:
What: IN RECITAL: John Wilson, piano, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026
Where: Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton
Admission: Free
