Charles Wadsworth
Charles Wadsworth is a classical pianist and the Original Artistic Director of Musical Masterworks.
He first drew international attention in 1960 at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, where he originated the Festival’s famed Midday Concerts. In 1997 he started the chamber concert series of the Spoleto USA Festival in Charleston, SC, which he directed, performed at and hosted through 2009. In 1969, Wadsworth performed the opening concerts at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center as Founding Artistic Director of the legendary Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He led the series for twenty seasons with wit and originality, bringing chamber music unprecedented interest and acceptance. He commissioned 65 new works by celebrated composers such as Pierre Boulez, Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein, as well as from young composers.
Wadsworth has been invited to perform at the White House for the Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Wadsworth has received awards from the French Government as a Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters, and in Italy as a Cavaliere Ufficiale in the Order of Merit.
He has also received the Handel Medallion for his contributions to the cultural life of the City of New York. The Art Deco municipal auditorium in Newnan, GA was renovated and renamed the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium in his honor. He has performed there annually since 1990.