Internationally acclaimed Steinway Artist and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Julian Gargiulo, also known as Pianist with the Hair, returns to The Museum of Russian Art for his sixth performance. A favorite among TMORA audiences, Gargiulo is known for combining exceptional musicianship with humor and storytelling.

Joining him is special guest Maria Elli Petridou, the 20-year-old cellist and winner of The World’s Biggest Stage competition. The program features the world premiere of Gargiulo’s Sonata No. 4, The New World for cello and piano, along with works by Chopin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Debussy, and Gargiulo.

Described by critics as “a stunning mastery of the instrument” (News Review) and “a marvelous non-stop flow of pure Woody Allen-ish wit” (Kathimerini), Gargiulo creates performances that are both musically compelling and thoroughly entertaining.

Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Doors open at 6:00 PM | Galleries and the TMORA Shop open prior to the performance

Free parking is available across the street at Creekside Church (formerly Mayflower Church).

Tickets: $35 Reserved Seating | $30 TMORA Members

Use the discount code HAIR30 to access Member pricing. Please note that while the discount code is available to everyone, all Member tickets are reviewed to confirm membership status.

Wheelchair accessible seating is available. Please email Michelle Massey, TMORA Director of Public Programs & Marketing, at [email protected] if you have any specific accessibility needs.

Julian Lawrence Gargiulo is a classical pianist, composer, and humorist known for his electrifying performances and engaging stage presence. Commonly referred to as Pianist with the Hair, he performs regularly in prestigious venues across the globe—from Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House to Moscow Conservatory Hall and The Esplanade in Singapore.

Julian is the founder of The World’s Biggest Stage competition (formerly Getting to Carnegie), where finalists perform his original compositions at Carnegie Hall and are selected by live audience vote. His recent recording of Violin Sonata No. 4 “From the Window” with María Dueñas was released on Deutsche Grammophon’s streaming platform Stage+ in 2024.

With degrees from the Peabody Conservatory and the University of Maryland, and training from institutions in Italy and Russia, Julian brings both rigorous classical technique and a global sensibility to his performances. He has been featured on BBC Radio 3, RAI, CTV, and more. Beyond the concert stage, he is also the founder of 16000children, a nonprofit raising awareness for children affected by hunger.

Julian currently splits his time between New York and Paris, continuing to compose, perform, and push the boundaries of classical performance.

Maria Elli Petridou, winner of The World’s Biggest Stage competition, joins Julian Gargiulo for the world premiere of Sonata No. 4, The New World for cello and piano.