Christopher Jessup

Christopher Jessup (born September 17, 1998) is an American composer and pianist.

Early life and education Jessup began playing piano and composing at an early age, premiering his own piano concerto in Italy at the age of 16. He attended The Juilliard Pre-College starting in 2016 and subsequently attended Juilliard for college, studying with composer Melinda Wagner and pianist Jerome Lowenthal. He graduated in 2021.

Career Shortly after graduating from Juilliard in 2021, Jessup was signed to Navona Records. Jessup’s music has been performed and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, the Brno Contemporary Orchestra, The Crossing, the New York Virtuoso Singers, the Kühn Choir of Prague, Choral Arts Initiative, Mostly Modern Brass, the National Sawdust Ensemble, pianists Nadia Shpachenko and Allison Brewster Franzetti, flutist Lindsey Goodman, violinist Kevin Zhu, violist Brett Deubner, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, and soprano Bree Nichols. Jessup’s works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, National Sawdust, and his works are published by BCP Music.

In 2024, a movement from Jessup's choral cycle Astronomia was featured on The Crossing's album Meciendo. Zachary Woolfe of The New York Times described the piece the album's "best" and called it "eerie".

As a pianist, Jessup has performed throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Italy. He has performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times, with his piano performances and recordings praised as "refined and eloquent" (New York Concert Review) and "absolutely breathtaking" (Interlude).

Jessup has received recognition from ASCAP, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Prize, the Respighi Prize, and National Sawdust, among others. He has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Billboard, Gramophone, Fanfare, and Pianist Magazine, and his music has aired on NPR and Classic FM.

Discography The First Movements (2021) Christopher Jessup (2023)

Awards and nominations