Charles Metz

photo: Aaron Jay Young

Charles Metz graduated from Penn State University with a B.F.A. in piano. Following graduation, he began private harpsichord lessons under the legendary Igor Kipnis. He continued his harpsichord studies with Trevor Pinnock while earning a Ph.D. in Historical Performance Practice at Washington University in St. Louis. More recently, Metz has worked with Webb Wiggins and Lisa Crawford at the Oberlin Conservatory. He has performed solo recitals at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, Oberlin Conservatory, University of Michigan, and Penn State University in State College PA. He has appeared with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Baroque, and the Newberry Consort of Chicago. 

As an early keyboard specialist, Metz currently performs on his own keyboard collection including his historic Italian virginal, harpsichords, and fortepianos. Metz also obtained a doctorate in Optometry and worked for 20 years in private practice in St. Louis before retiring. In addition to his performing activity, he served on the board of Early Music America and the Newberry Consort. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis and the Cultural Center of Palm Springs CA. 

Albums

Scarlatti Sonatas

Release Date: December 8, 2023
Catalog Number: NV6558
Baroque
Solo Instrumental
Piano
Ivory keys worn by two centuries of passionate musicians tell a story of musical evolution on SCARLATTI SONATAS, an album of solo harpsichord sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, Antonio Soler, and an unidentified composer. Performed today by pianist Charles Metz, these works were first adapted for performance on the pianoforte in 1791 by Muzio Clementi, who breathed new life into Scarlatti’s timeless work with marked dynamics, articulations, and more. While Metz’s choice of repertoire holds ample historical significance, so does the instrument he employs to perform them — an 1806 square piano built by Clementi himself.

Music for Virginal

Release Date: February 12, 2021
Catalog Number: NV6330
Renaissance
Solo Instrumental
Harpsichord
Navona Records proudly presents TISDALE VIRGINAL BOOK from harpsichordist and early keyboard specialist Charles Metz. The album features historical repertoire seldom heard even by Early Music aficionados, all performed on a painstakingly restored Francesco Poggi virginal built c. 1590. The virginal, a member of the harpsichord family, was popular in the late Renaissance into the early Baroque period.