Christopher Jessup is an award-winning composer and pianist whose music has been hailed as “lovely” (The New York Times), “imaginative” (Fanfare), and “ethereal” (Textura). Acclaimed for his evocative, emotionally-rich style—often inspired by poetry, philosophy, and astronomy—Jessup bridges lyricism and modernity, weaving together classical traditions with a voice uniquely his own. His works range from musical miniatures that capture intimate sonic landscapes with clarity and depth to expansive orchestral and choral scores, reflecting a vision that is both personal and universal.
Jessup’s music has been commissioned, performed, and recorded internationally by leading ensembles and soloists, including the London Symphony Orchestra, GRAMMY® Award-winning choir The Crossing, the Juilliard Orchestra, the Brno Contemporary Orchestra, the New York Virtuoso Singers, the Kühn Choir of Prague, the National Sawdust Ensemble, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, violinist Kevin Zhu, GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko, pianist Allison Brewster Franzetti, and violist Brett Deubner, among others.
Jessup first gained international attention at age sixteen with the premiere of his own piano concerto in Italy. He has since established himself as both a composer and pianist of distinction, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, National Sawdust, and other notable venues throughout North America and Europe. His piano performances and recordings have been lauded as “refined and eloquent” (New York Concert Review) and “absolutely breathtaking” (Interlude).
Jessup’s work has received honors from ASCAP, the American Prize, the Respighi Prize, and National Sawdust. His music has been featured in The New York Times, Billboard, Gramophone, Fanfare, and Pianist Magazine, and broadcast on NPR and Classic FM. His recordings are released on Navona Records, and his works are published by BCP Music.
Recent and upcoming highlights include the February premiere of his Suite for Viola and Piano by the TEMPO Ensemble in California, followed later that month by the world premiere of the a cappella choral work As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life, performed by Choral Arts Initiative. In May, his trio Voltage for clarinet, violin, and piano will be performed by the OLEA Ensemble in Cincinnati and Chicago, and in June a new brass quintet will receive its premiere at the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York. Later in the year, his new work The Captured Goddess—written for soprano Bree Nichols—will receive its world premiere in Prague. In addition to these performances, Jessup has several major recording projects forthcoming, including new works for the London Symphony Orchestra and the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, the October release of his complete choral cycle Astronomia with The Crossing, and a new solo album.
A graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied composition with Pulitzer Prize-winner Melinda Wagner and piano with Jerome Lowenthal, Jessup is based in New York City.
