About Robert
Robert Buxton is a classical pianist who believes that faithfulness to music means bringing it to life, not preserving it in a museum. Based in Mebane, NC, he brings his lecture-recital format to audiences throughout central North Carolina, specializing in performances that make classical music feel immediate and alive.
A Different Kind of Classical Performance
Robert's approach challenges the rigid performance traditions of the last 75 years. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century masters who played with natural timing and improvisation, he brings spontaneity back to classical music. Even when playing fully notated pieces, Robert is always improvising—finding new phrasings, new timing, new ways to breathe life into familiar works.
His performances include:
Academic Background:
Performance Experience:
Robert lives in Mebane, NC with his wife Shoko (also a pianist), their two sons, and two cats.
Robert Buxton is a classical pianist who believes that faithfulness to music means bringing it to life, not preserving it in a museum. Based in Mebane, NC, he brings his lecture-recital format to audiences throughout central North Carolina, specializing in performances that make classical music feel immediate and alive.
A Different Kind of Classical Performance
Robert's approach challenges the rigid performance traditions of the last 75 years. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century masters who played with natural timing and improvisation, he brings spontaneity back to classical music. Even when playing fully notated pieces, Robert is always improvising—finding new phrasings, new timing, new ways to breathe life into familiar works.
His performances include:
- Classical masterworks by Schubert, Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt
- American composers like William Grant Still, Charles Ives, and Florence Price
- Original transcriptions of Mahalia Jackson gospel recordings
- Spontaneous improvisations in the styles of the great composers (Debussy, Chopin, and Beethoven)
- Stories and historical context that make each piece accessible
Academic Background:
- D.M.A. and M.M., University of North Texas (studied under Vladimir Viardo)
- B.M., Manhattan School of Music (studied with Solomon Mikowsky)
- Former faculty at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University
Performance Experience:
- New York venues including Carnegie Hall (Weill Hall), Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall), Symphony Space, and Steinway Hall
- International performances in Italy, Amsterdam, and Japan (Kyoto, Tokyo, Sakata)
- Featured on classical radio stations in New York City and Kyoto
- Regular performer at retirement communities and venues throughout North Carolina
Robert lives in Mebane, NC with his wife Shoko (also a pianist), their two sons, and two cats.
