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2025-01-14

Prokofiev's Sarcasms

Prokofiev's "Sarcasms" (1912-14) explores a new musical language. This five-piece suite employs extremes in dynamics, clashing harmonies, and "wrong notes" to represent laughter, creating a seemingly grotesque style with rough accents and jagged rhythms juxtaposed against lyrical themes
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-01-13

Chopin Backstage in Miami

Ben Laude covers the finals of the US National Chopin Competition in Miami. Established in 1977 by Blanka A. Rosenstiel, the Chopin Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting classical music, inspired by the inaugural US Chopin Competition she presented in Miami in 1975.
Read more at youtube.com

2025-01-12

About and With Pianist Levanon

Despite his youth, pianist Yoav Levanon boasts an impressive resume: Carnegie Hall, Verbier Festival, Martha Argerich's festival, Fondation Louis Vuitton, collaborations with Barenboim and Perahia. His mature artistry, evident in his profound playing and grounded demeanor, belies his young age.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-01-11

Chopin on Guitar?

Arranging Chopin's Second Piano Concerto for guitar is a controversial endeavor. While a grand piano offers full tone and sustained legato, the guitar encourages a more intimate, nuanced interpretation, akin to the subtleties Chopin may have achieved on his own Pleyel piano.
Read more at sfcv.org

2025-01-10

Pianist Kantorow - a Crash Course

Despite his stage presence – appearing rumpled and almost sleepy – 27-year-old Alexander Kantorow, the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition Grand Prix winner, commands the piano with volcanic power and poetic grace. His mesmerizing performances have earned him comparisons to Liszt, as declared by Fanfare magazine.
Read more at classical-music.com

2025-01-09

Second Life Pianos

Seattle Piano Recycling, founded by Chad Newell, began unexpectedly while he was transporting pianos for Whidbey Island piano shop owner, Dean Petrich. Newell's business flourished alongside the rise of electronic keyboards, providing a lifeline for unwanted acoustic pianos.
Read more at seattlerefined.com

2025-01-08

Tha Funniest Pianist Ever

Victor Borge, the "comedian of the keyboard" and "funniest man in classical music," delighted audiences for decades with his unique blend of musical satire and witty banter. This irrepressible humourist, a student of Liszt pupil Lamond, eschewed a serious concert career to bring joy to millions.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-01-07

Pianist and Composer Rose Riebl

Riebl attributes her "intuitive and immediate relationship with the instrument" to both her musical upbringing and an innate connection. While a musical household provided the nurturing environment, she believes it's deeper – a "musical language DNA," a mystical, almost spiritual resonance with the universe.
Read more at russh.com

2025-01-06

Fazil Say - 50 Years on Stage

Pianist and composer Fazıl Say marked his 50th year on stage with a spectacular concert, "50 Years at the Piano," at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center in Izmir.
Read more at dailysabah.com

2025-01-05

Michelangeli - The Legend

Legendary pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, renowned for his "sculptural" playing, famously eschewed interviews and publicity. Yet, his concerts were legendary. To celebrate his birthday on January 5th, Interlude presents five of his immortal solo piano interpretations.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-01-04

Master Pianists in Conversation

In 2024, James Jolly interviewed pianists Yevgeny Sudbin and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet at Tippet Rise. They discussed pianos, recording, repertoire, and their shared experience at this unique venue, facilitated by the exceptional recording facilities.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2025-01-03

Finding an Artist Among Your Staff

Career breaks come in all shapes and sizes. For aspiring pianist Ionut Ciubotaru, the path to success has been particularly winding. DW's Lucia Schulten met him at Brussels' Place Flagey concert hall to hear his story.
Read more at dw.com

2025-01-02

With and About Pianist Petrowska Quilico

Pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico's new album, 'More Rivers,' featuring Frank Horvat's composition, will be released on Navona Records on January 24th.This follows her acclaimed 1980s recording of Ann Southam's 'Rivers.'
Read more at ludwig-van.com

2025-01-01

The Wartime Pianist Heroine

London, 1940. The Blitz. Iconic images – St. Paul's amidst smoke, the Royals amidst rubble, Myra Hess playing amidst ruins – remain etched in our memory. These pictures symbolize the indomitable spirit of a nation facing adversity.
Read more at classical-music.com

2025-00-28

The Queen Elisabeth Competitors

The Queen Elisabeth Competition, rotating instruments annually, selected 70 piano candidates from 289 applicants via video pre-selection. Aged 18-31, they'll compete in the first round May 5-10, 2025, at Flagey, Belgium.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-12-31

First Non-Polish Jury Chairman Ever

American pianist Garrick Ohlsson, 1970 Chopin Competition winner, will chair the international jury for the first time in the competition's nearly century-long history. Ohlsson, described by Competition President Rafal Blechacz as "an extraordinary personality and a musician deeply immersed in Chopin's music," will bring a unique international perspective to the judging panel.
Read more at youtube.com

2024-12-30

A Superior 2025 in South Korea

Next year, Korea hosts top orchestras: Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw. Leading maestros like Makela, Dudamel, and Chung will conduct, alongside renowned soloists like Bronfman, Schiff, and Jansen. Expect intense and brilliant performances.
Read more at asianews.network

2024-12-29

Vietnam's Legendary Piano Pedagogue

Pianists of all ages, including some in their 80s, honored their esteemed master Thái Thị Liên by performing. They continue her legacy, playing with the same dedication she displayed at 100. One of her YouTube clips garnered 8 million views.
Read more at vietnamnews.vn

2024-12-28

The Complete Pianist

Illia Ovcharenko's life took a turn at age six. 'My mother brought me to a concert in Chernihiv where my godsister played Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto,' he recalls in a video call. 'It was truly a magical experience.'
Read more at bachtrack.com

2024-12-27

The First Narrow Key Digital Piano

The Athena digital piano by Narrow Keys features an 88-note graded hammer action, mimicking the weight variation of an acoustic piano. Three sensors under each key provide nuanced response.
Read more at worldpianonews.com

2024-12-26

Nietzsche's Piano Music

Despite his philosophical renown, music was Nietzsche's true passion. Born into a family of pastors where music and theology intertwined, young Friedrich was a talented pianist and organist by age seven. Recent recordings of his piano compositions inspired us to delve deeper.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-12-25

Pianist's Passion and Drive

Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk delivered a masterful performance, brilliantly conveying the drama and other key elements of the music. His stylish playing ignited the orchestra with passion and drive, showcasing a deeply perceptive musical approach.
Read more at nzartsreview.org

2024-12-24

Masterclass with Paul Lewis

Pianist Paul Lewis, widely considered a preeminent interpreter of the Central European classical repertoire, engaged with SFCM students in a masterclass during the month of November.
Read more at sfcm.edu

2024-12-22

Gigashvili's Many Inspirations

At 12, Giorgi Gigashvili, a noted Georgian pianist, discovered Martha Argerich on YouTube. Recently drawn to classical music, he was captivated by her performance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, falling in love with both the piece and the pianist.
Read more at billboard.com