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Lera Auerbach





Lera Auerbach (b. 1973, Russia/Austria/USA)

Lera Auerbach is a composer, pianist, and writer whose music combines intense emotion with brilliant craft. Born in Chelyabinsk, a city in the Ural Mountains or Russia and now based in the U.S., she started composing at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her expressive, dramatic, and highly pianistic works.

Her works can be virtuosic, but they are always deeply expressive, exploring both inner reflection and theatrical drama.

Lera Auerbach’s Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano (Op. 41), composed in 1999, spans all major and minor keys, creating a full tonal journey from C major to D minor. Commissioned by Tom and Vivian Waldeck in collaboration with the Caramoor International Music Festival, Auerbach premiered the cycle herself in New York on July 23, 1999. A typical performance lasts about 39 minutes, making it substantial yet accessible for recitals. Each prelude has its own character, ranging from short bursts of energy to reflective, lyrical moments. The cycle alternates between major and minor keys requiring careful attention to clarity, mood shifts, and tonal exploration. 


Chorale, Fugue, and Postlude (2003)- This work blends old forms with her modern voice. The chorale is a clash of sounds, both "forceful" and meditative at the asame time, while the fugue is more precise and energetic, and the postlude balances both with elements of each. Here is her Chorale: 


Auerbach’s piano music challenges and rewards.  Her works are perfect for recitals that want drama, depth, and expressive storytelling with music that connects immediately with both performer and listener.


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