News Flash

2025-08-01

A New Piano Concerto by John Williams

John Williams composed the piano concerto for Emanuel Ax, showcasing his impressive skills. The abstract, nonlinear piece features cadenzas and improvisatory-like passages, highlighting Ax’s virtuosity as he navigates complex, meticulously notated solo moments.
Read more at thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com

2025-07-31

A Bunch of Masterclasses

PIANIST (UK) offers a curated series of masterclasses featuring renowned pianists from both past and contemporary times.
Read more at pianistmagazine.com

2025-07-30

Aspen, Ravel and de la Salle

Join CPR Classical and the Aspen Music Festival and School for a special live-streamed concert at CPRClassical.org. Enjoy a Aspen Summerfest performance from home - featuring pianist Lise de la Salle and music by Gabriella Smith, Ravel, and Nielsen. The concert starts at 11:30 PM (GMT), August 1.
Read more at .cpr.org

2025-07-29

Chinese Pianist and Composer Signs with DG

Yu-Peng Chen, a renowned Chinese pianist and composer, is the first from China to sign with Deutsche Grammophon. His debut on DG is the extended edition of Fantasyland with the London Philharmonic, set for release in November 2025.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2025-07-28

Music Education in Saudi Arabia

The Music Commission launched Saudi Arabia’s first summer piano program with Lang Lang, at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh. Starting June 29, over 30 students will receive expert lessons, training, and interactive sessions to develop their skills.
Read more at www.arabnews.jp

2025-07-27

A Chopin's Polonaises Deep Dive

In addition to an insightful conversation with Garrick Ohlsson, the episode features Chopin competition medalists Alexander Gadjiev and Yulianna Avdeeva reflecting on their polonaises, and concludes with Jed Distler's favourite recordings, including a legendary performance by Horowitz from 1968.
Read more at chopinpodcast.com

2025-07-26

Hear Martha in Beethoven 2

Martha Argerich, together with Ion Marin and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, delivers a brilliant performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 – a blend of fiery spontaneity and clarity in a passionate and graceful interpretation of this youthful masterpiece.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-07-25

Chopin Quotes!

Frédéric Chopin was a witty and sensitive writer. These quotes from his letters reveal his true feelings about performances, critics, depression, fears and more – offering touching, sometimes humorous personal insights.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-07-24

The Positive Way

Pianist and composer Joe Kenney debuts with a bold new project: Affirmations for High Achievers - Volume I: Success . The book combines music and motivation and contains 160 affirmations, each paired with original piano pieces via QR codes.
Read more at mychesco.com

2025-07-23

Music Festivals Summer

Europe's 2025 summer season is packed with operas, concerts and classical music festivals. From grand performances to intimate concerts, here are 31 top festivals worth visiting.
Read more at classical-music.com

2025-07-22

Never Too Old to Learn

Evans was accepted into the Oxford/Cambridge music programme at the age of 78 and grew up with a strong musical influence. Her parents, both musicians, inspired her at an early age. She began playing the piano at the age of five, later learned the cello and joined a choir.
Read more at nsnews.com

2025-07-21

Schiff Wins Imperial Prize

Renowned pianist Sir András Schiff has won the 2025 Praemium Imperiale in music, one of the world's foremost arts awards, which recognises exceptional global contributions in music, painting, sculpture, architecture and theatre/film.
Read more at classical-music.uk

2025-07-20

Pianists and The Pope

Pope Leo, a trained pianist, invited seven top musicians, including Gabriela Montero, to a special enclave. This event celebrated the ongoing Jubilee year and aimed to proclaim a message of hope. Other invitees included cellist Aleksey Shadrin and pianists Beatrice Rana, Brad Mehldau, Francesco Piemontesi, Aleksandr Malofeev, and Nobuyuki Tsujii.
Read more at cim.edu

2025-07-19

Yunchan Lim and His Teacher

Currently, Lim studies under Sohn at the New England Conservatory, continuing their training from the Korea National University of Arts. On stage, Sohn's seasoned performance thoughtfully complemented Lim's, allowing the student to shine. Next, they'll perform together at Switzerland's Verbier Festival.
Read more at koreatimes.co.kr

2025-07-18

The Left Hand Story

The First World War dramatically changed left-hand piano music. Aside from a few exceptions, serious repertoire for the left hand didn't emerge until the 20th century, largely thanks to Paul Wittgenstein, who profoundly influenced its development.
Read more at theguardian.com

2025-07-17

Händel's Great Keyboard Suites

Händel’s Eight Great Keyboard Suites showcase his versatility and mastery, and, though less famous, they were highly popular among English aristocracy and amateurs, with many unauthorized copies reflecting their widespread admiration and commercial success. In 1720, Handel decided to provide a new edition.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-07-14

"The Pianist" Remembered

Polish Radio commemorated 25 years since Władysław Szpilman's death, the renowned pianist, composer, and Holocaust survivor whose life inspired the Oscar-winning film "The Pianist." He worked for Polish Radio before and after WWII.
Read more at polskieradio.pl

2025-07-13

Pianist in Uganda

John Chen began his career by winning the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, earning accolades for Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, chamber music, and concertos. He has performed globally and now resides in Kampala, Uganda, as Deputy Principal and chaplain at Acacia International School.
Read more at rnz.co.nz

2025-07-12

Never Heard Satie

These lost Satie works resulted from meticulous research by Japanese composer and violinist Sato Matsui and British musicologist James Nye. They independently retrieved forgotten manuscripts and sketches, reconstructing Satie’s ideas into performable scores.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-07-11

Avdeeva's Shostakovich

Shostakovich admired Soviet pianist Tatiana Nikolayeva’s playing of the WTC. Thus he composed preludes and fugues for her. Comparing her performances with Yulianna Avdeeva’s, winner of the 2010 Chopin Competition, reveals a lighter, more nuanced approach that explores emotional depth differently.
Read more at theguardian.com

2025-07-10

Gerstein's Corea Release

In 2010, Kirill Gerstein received the Gilmore Artist Award, inspiring him to pursue daring projects. He commissioned works from various composers and collaborated with jazz artists like Chick Corea and Mehldau, influenced by his jazz roots before focusing on classical. Recently Gerstein released Chick Corea’s “The Visitors” as a digital single.
Read more at youtube.com

2025-07-09

Key Leveling Innovation

Christoph Schulz thinks we need a solution to accelerate regulation, improve stability, and reduce stress on the crucial bottom key, damaged in 95% of pianos from factory leveling. During industry struggles, such innovations do uplift spirits and restore balance.
Read more at pianoindustryportal.com

2025-07-08

Do You Know Kim Saehyun?

Kim prioritizes authentic musical expression over dazzling technique. He believes true performance is about selflessness and connecting personally with individuals, valuing sincerity and genuine emotion over technical showmanship to truly share his musical story.
Read more at korea.net

2025-07-07

Yuja Between The Bars

An exceptional young artist who creates bold, original stage music, balancing youthful innovation with seasoned experience in the competitive classical world. Yannick Dondelinger hosts Yuja Wang for an informal chat covering Rachmaninov, cuisine, life in the USA, religion, Bach’s privacy, and memories with Claudio Abbado.
Read more at mahlerchamber.com