Iswargia R. Sudarno, piano

Iswargia R. Sudarno is known as one of the most active pianist in Indonesia. He performs as a soloist, as well as chamber musician and collaborative pianist. As a chamber musician he has appeared with many international experienced musicians - such as with British cellist Alexander Bailey among others - and with the Trisutji Kamal Ensemble gave concert tours in France, Spain, Italy, Scandinavian countries, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. As a collaborative pianist, he performs regularly in with sopranos Binu D. Sukaman, Aning Katamsi Asmoro, baritone Joseph Kristanto and Batavia Madrigal Singers. His repertoire includes not only the traditional western classical works, but also the contemporary music.

Born and raised in Bandung, he started his piano lesson there at the age of eleven, consecutively with Mrs. Wibanu, Partosiswojo, John Gobee, Oerip S. Santoso. Only in three and a half years he won the All-Bandung Piano Competition, followed by some other regional piano competitions in the following years. After finishing his bachelor program at the Bandung Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture, he continued his musical education at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, and completed his study with a Master of Music degree. During the summer he also studied at the Johannesen School of the Arts in Victoria, Canada, and at Aspen Music School, Aspen. He also received a full scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) to study for one semester at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, Germany, under the guidance of Hansjörg Koch. Other awards received include the Aspen Music School Scholarship and Stanley Norman Smith Award from the Manhattan School of Music (for the best achievement in piano pedagogy learning). His teacher includes such distinguished artists as Karl Ulrich Schnabel, Bela Siki, Rita Sloan, Gabriel Chodos.
Aside his performing activity, Mr. Sudarno has many experiences in other musical fields. He was a tutor of the Nusantara Chamber Orchestra, the Academic Director of Jakarta International Music School, and also a faculty member of the Music Department of Indonesian University of Pedagogy and Education in Bandung. At present, Mr. Sudarno teaches at University of Pelita Harapan and also the Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra Indonesia.