Steven Larson Recording Artist Pianist Composer Improviser

The story behind A Nebraska Moonlight Sonata

On a late summer night in 2018, I was observing the magnificence of a full moon over Nebraska, sitting high on the bluffs on the South Dakota side of the Missouri River. As wisps of clouds passed in front of the moon, I began thinking of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, a piece I had first played in childhood. After awhile, like the clouds, my own music began weaving in and out of the memes of the Beethoven masterpiece. I was so overwhelmed, I rushed to my home twenty five miles away, improvising until dawn with the completion of A Nebraska Moonlight Sonata.

It was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve ever had as a creator!

The Magic of Creation

I find inspiration all around me - from people, from nature, from concepts and feelings - and try to allow that to freely manifest in my compositions and cinematic-like improvisations. Sometimes the music is beautiful; sometimes it is disruptive in nature with extremes of emotion and virtuosity.

Living Life through Music

A Nebraska native, following formal studies at St. Louis Conservatory and University of Nebraska, I have lived my music around the world, performing as soloist and collaborative artist from New York to Boston, Athens to London, from Australia to Russia, much of the time immersed in the opera and classical scene. I currently live in Chicago and record for the Syniversal Music label in live performances and in studios in Chicago, San Francisco and St. Louis.

Embracing the Obsession

I uncovered my obsession with music and the piano when I was 7 years old. After that, I always knew it would dominate my life. I'm a long hauler; I get knocked down, I get up again!