Known for his unique clarity of interpretation, meticulous attention to detail, and shading, pianist Lance Wiseman’s robust tone, natural phrasing and poetic expressiveness resembles human speech. He has pleased the most discriminating audiences with repertoire from the baroque to the present. Impeccable attention to the score and stylistic authenticity form the foundation for interpretive depth which elevates the music to a new sensitivity and spiritual dimension while still preserving the composer’s intentions. His approach reaches a balance of clarity of interpretation and structure, combined with warmth and sensitivity, which has made him a favorite among learned and lay audiences alike! His performances of romantic works exhibit imagination and expressiveness, contrasting passionate and tender emotions. Rhythmic vitality, phrase punctuation, and intricate detail of musical line are the pillars of his performances of the classical period; in baroque music, he is distinguished for his adherence to score and style. Here he is able to build excitement and vitality over the long term, sustaining the underlying driving rhythmic impulse with a crisp and shimmery technique while weaving a “tapestry” of interacting and equal voices. Always fresh and vigorous in his approach, his performances of standard repertoire sound as if he is playing each composition for the first time.

Lance Wiseman has garnered an international reputation as an ambassador of the piano music with performances in Greece, Switzerland, Berlin, London, France, Russia, Hong Kong, China, United States, among many others.

Neue Zuricher Zeitung (Zurich) noted this American pianist’s “sensitivity to express even the dreamily poetical”, Der Tagespiegel (Berlin) commented on his “considerable technical brilliance”, and the Athens Voice commented, “(he) Translates the composers’ hidden treasures”, Gazet Van Antwerpen noted his “brilliant virtuosity and flair,” Vincent Persichetti commented, “You know how to project the composer’s meaning.” “(You) will contribute significantly to the music of our times.”

Having coached with Byron Janis and Rosalyn Tureck, Lance Mark Wiseman has a large repertoire of solo works and concerti (see repertoire). He has performed at such venues as the Berlin Academy of Music, Wigmore Hall (London), Concerts by Candlelight Concert Series at Laurel Hill, (Philadelphia), soloist with Thessaloniki State Symphony (Greece) (Vyron Kolassis, guest conductor (principal conductor of Athens Symphony), soloist with St. Petersburg State Symphony (Russia), Lee Hysan Concert Hall (Chinese University of Hong Kong), soloist with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, soloist with Haddonfield Symphony (NJ), Grand Hall of Zurich Conservatory, Duna Concert Hall (Ashdot, Israel), He Luting Concert Hall (Shanghai Conservatory), Weill Hall, Journess Musicales International Music Festival (Langeais, France), soloist with Hastings Symphony (Nebraska), soloist with Donetsk State Opera Orchestra, Academy of Music Ballroom (Philadelphia), Meng Min Wei Concert Hall (Beijing), Mann Music Center Outreach, George Dima Academy Hall (Cluj Napoca, Romania), soloist with Arts International Festival Orchestra (Plymouth Meeting, PA), Tianjing Concert Hall (China), Gloria Theater (Athens, Greece), Bat Yam Conservatory (Israel), soloist with Donetsk Philharmonic, Philadelphia Cultural Council, Masterwork Foundation (Morristown, NJ), St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia), Affula Conservatory (Israel), Youngstown University (Ohio), University of North Caroina Wilmington Concert Series, Cabrini College Concert Series (Philadelphia), Beaver College Concert Series (Glenside, PA), Inner Mongolia Keyboard Society, soloist with Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra (PA), American Consulate (Romania), American Conservatory (Chicago), among many others.

He is a regular juror at international piano competitions and was also the first American ever to have been invited to be on the jury in the “Prokofiev International Piano Competition” in Donetsk, Ukraine. In the spring of 2015, he was the only American invited to adjudicate and lecture in the 2015 Ivy International Piano Competition in Sanya, China. He has been a repeat adjudicator at the Beethoven International Youth Art Award Piano Competition in Zhenzhou, China and Hong Kong and has also been a jury member at the Rachmaninov International Piano Competition in Tianjing, China.

He has been featured in full recitals commemorating centennials of distinguished contemporary composers. In 2010, he was invited to perform a recital commemorating the Centennial of Samuel Barber at the site of his home town church where the eminent composer was a member (First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, PA).

A dear friend of Vincent Persichetti, he worked closely with the composer. During 2015, the year of Persichetti’s Centenary, he performed/taught in several commemorative concerts and master classes both in the US and abroad which were featured by Theodore Presser Company (publishers of Persichetti’s works) on their Facebook site. In 2015, he was invited by composer Yao Heng-lu, former professor of composition at Central Conservatory, to record a unique set of educational pieces for commercial CD recordings (commissioned by Yao Heng-Lu for publication & distribution). Citing his performance of prominent Philadelphia composer David Finko’s Sonata # 1, the newspaper Jewish Life/Community said of him, ” Lance Wiseman masterfully performed Sonata #1 …” Lance Wiseman’s musical background has been unique. At the age of fifteen, he was accepted into the Juilliard School, then the youngest to have been accorded this honor, where he coached as a scholarship student with Beveridge Webster. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Juilliard, he was awarded second prize in the Emma Feldman International Piano Competition.

In addition to standard performance venues, Lance Wiseman is regularly engaged in academic venues such as in recitals, master classes, and advanced lecture/recitals in conservatories, universities, and colleges. He also enjoys lecture/recitals designed to enhance music appreciation. His academic venues have included the Visual and Performing Arts School of Youngstown, OH. (televised on WKBN TV -27 First News – Youngstown, Ohio), Dana School of Music (Youngstown State University), University of North Carolina, Central Conservatory (Beijing), China Conservatory, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Cabrini College (Radnor, PA), Beaver College (Glenside, Pa.), St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia), Capital Normal University (Beijing), Tsinghua University (Beijing), Peking Union Medical College, Inner Mongolia Normal University (hosted by Inner Mongolia Keyboard Association), George Dima Music Academy (Cluj Napoca, Romania), Mann Music Center Outreach, Bat Yam Conservatory (Israel), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hebei University (Xijiadua, Hebei Province, China), among many others.

His music appreciation lecture/recitals also work well for community venues. Lance is a superb music communicator. His unique combination of lively introduction to musical pieces and instant connection with the audience makes him a favorite in community concerts. When performing audience favorites, his playing “touches his audiences’ hearts” every bit as much as in the most sublime masterpieces. Providing appropriate flair and humor, his programs with commentary are much in demand, shrewdly creating a musical experience filled with charm and fun. This is demonstrated in his favorite classics recordings as well as his own transcriptions of operatic repertoire for the Piano Disc label, along with the following CDs on his own label “Lance Wiseman Recordings”: Cunningham Piano Company Presents Lance Wiseman, Classical Music for Christmas, and “Give It Up” (his own original jazz). Also included in his repertoire are short compositions which are based on famous Chinese folk songs, Klezmer, Russian folk music, etc.

Lance is very passionate in promoting classical music to the public. He is the conductor of LuLu Shriner Concert Band, the oldest Shriner Concert Band in the world. He is also the president of a nonprofit art organization, Arts International, and conducts the Arts International Festival Orchestra. He has guest conducted the historic Ringold Band, one of America’s oldest bands (Reading, PA)

Sample Standard Program Selections: Bach – Prelude and Fugue in d minor BWV 851(WTK vol. 1), Beethoven – Sonata op. 31 #2 (“Tempest”), Scriabin – Sonata #3 in f# minor, op. 23, Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsody in C# minor #2, Chopin – Sonata #2 in B flat minor op. 35.

Sample audience favorites: Chopin – Polonaise in Ab major op. 53 (“heroic”), “Minute Waltz”, Nocturne in Eb major op. 9 #2, “Revolutionary” Etude; Debussy – Claire de Lune; Liszt – Valse Oubliee, Consolation in D b #3; Grieg – Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, In the Spring Time; Schumann – Traumerei, Portrait of Chopin (from “Carnival”); Lecuona –; Malaguena; Granados – Spanish Dance #5 (from Goyescas); de Falla – Ritual Fire Dance; Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsody in c minor #2

Lance’s uniqueness as a performer manifests itself in his personal life as well with an avid interest Italian Renaissance painters, antiques and gardening. Master gardeners, Lance and his wife Hong constantly labor together outdoors. Hong specializes in culinary herbs while Lance specializes in rare perennials from various
parts of the world, including persicaria “Painter’s Pallette”, tri-colored chrysanthemum, perennial aquilegia, and thermopsis caroliniana, a perennial lupine look-alike. They have been married for over twenty years, having initially met at one of Mr. Wiseman’s concerts. Possessing a mutual love of Mozart, they were instantly attracted to each other, and it was love at first sight.