Samuel Wallach (b. 2000) is a composer, pianist, percussionist, and film enthusiast. He graduated cum laude from Stony Brook University in 2022, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, with a minor in Music. He is currently learning Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata and Liszt’s 6th Hungarian Rhapsody.

Having studied piano since the 3rd grade, he won the 2015 Concerto Competition at the University’s Pre-College Program as a high school student. Shortly after this event, he was inspired by a statement made by pianist Glenn Gould, lamenting that performers had stopped being composers, and he began seriously exploring composition.

The majority of his compositions have been for piano solo, including A Mountain’s Windy Echo, A Perfectionist’s Pain, Lydian Jobs, and In Memory of All Avoidable Deaths From COVID-19. In addition, he has written chamber works for both wind and string instruments, the most recent of which is Bullfrogs, his first woodwind quintet, which will be performed by the University of Memphis Magnolia Woodwind Quintet.

In his spare time, he especially enjoys playing Chess and Go, as well as performing magic and creating origami. He enjoys watching movies of all genres and, as of now, his favorite film is the experimental documentary Sans Soleil by Chris Marker. His favorite concert pianist is Sviatoslav Richter, whose passion has influenced Sam immeasurably.