News Flash

2024-04-06

A Talk with Paul Lewis

Paul Lewis tells International Piano which music he is currently practicing, the pieces he is eager to master, and his thoughts on which composers are undervalued.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-04-05

Restored Piano Music for Many Hands

Every so often, within the abundance of online data, new and breathtaking discoveries come to light. The classical music community was shocked by the unearthing of a forgotten Mendelssohn and Moscheles score after nearly 200 years in hiding, now being brought back to life by the MultiPiano Ensemble with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.
Read more at jpost.com

2024-04-04

Piano Competitions' Gender Gap

Recent data from the World Federation of International Music Competitions shows that men dominate the winners in piano competitions, with more than a third having all-male finals. In contrast, women claim 75% of first prizes in violin competitions. This raises questions about gender bias in classical music and how to achieve equality in the future.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-04-03

Pianist Ferro in Conversation

Alberto Ferro is an accomplished Italian pianist who has garnered numerous awards in renowned competitions. In this interview, Ferro divulges his musical odyssey and offers insights into his meticulous preparation for performances on stage.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-04-03

Baglini on Beethoven's 9th

Liszt spent three decades painstakingly transcribing Beethoven's symphonies. Pianist Maurizio Baglini prefers Liszt's 1864 arrangement of the 9th Symphony, published four decades after its Vienna premiere in 1824. The performance takes more than an hour.
Read more at myscena.org/

2024-04-02

Beethoven's DNA Tested

The influence of genetic factors on exceptional human achievements is a longstanding question, now more easily addressed with modern molecular methods. An international team, including researchers from Max Planck Institutes, analyzed Beethoven's DNA to explore his musical predisposition using sequences from a previous study in 2023.
Read more at aesthetics.mpg.de

2024-04-01

Chopin's Travels Now in English

In Henryk Nowaczyk's meticulously researched book "Chopin's Travels", a unique and insightful biography of the composer is crafted from overlooked details. The author's sincere fascination and attention to historical accuracy make for an engaging and revealing read, providing a microscopic view of Chopin's everyday life and the world around him.
Read more at nifc.pl

2024-03-31

New Book: Women and the Piano

Susan Tomes traces fifty women through the history of the piano with famous names such as Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn as well as some less well-known in this timely testament to women and music.
Read more at theedinburghreporter.co.uk

2024-03-31

Master of Piano Masters

One of the most highly regarded artists of his time, pianist and educator Heinrich Neuhaus was known for his dynamic performances on the piano. As a pedagogue, Neuhaus influenced numerous renowned pianists over the years, with Sviatoslav Richter referring to him as a "an artist of unique genius."
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-03-30

The Piano in Literature and the Visual Arts

For over two centuries, the piano has been a prominent element in literature, art, and film, admired for its iconic presence and distinctive sound. Whether grand or upright, it often takes center stage in the creation of captivating art. What is it that grants the instrument its status and allure?
Read more at cmuse.org

2024-03-29

Pianist Olafsson Enjoys Tiny Desk

When top level concert pianists make appearances at the Tiny Desk, they often have to be persuaded to trade their nine-foot grand pianos for our smaller upright piano. Vikingur Olafsson however, had no issue with downsizing for his performance of Bach Rameau, Bartok and Kaldalons.
Read more at youtube.com

2024-03-28

Stepping Out of Piano Lessons

In China the keyboard used to be the top choice in music lessons. However, rising costs and changing cultural preferences have caused many students to turn their focus to traditional Chinese instruments such as the "pipa" and bamboo flute.
Read more at sixthtone.com

2024-03-27

One Handed Piano History

Pianist Nicholas McCarthy attributes the popularity of one-handed performance to 19th-century concert pianists, who inspired his successful career today. These pianists, known for playing with both hands, impressed audiences by showcasing their skills with their non-dominant hand.
Read more at classicfm.com

2024-03-26

Praised Pianist Forced to Rest

Due to a hand sprain, the 20-year-old Korean pianist Yunchan Lim has decided to cancel five European concerts. Lim made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest person to ever win gold at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and has since then been sought after at concert venues all over the world.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-03-25

Meet Super Piano Brothers

Pioneering the fusion of classical music with mainstream media like movies and video games, this duo has successfully tailored their music to appeal to diverse audiences while navigating the complexities of blending two different worlds. Their rigorous classical training at prestigious institutions adds depth to their innovative approach.
Read more at meettheartist.online

2024-03-25

Maurizio Pollini Dies at 82

Legendary pianist Maurizio Pollini defined modern piano playing through a combination of virtuosity of the highest degree, a complete sense of musical purpose and commitment that works in complete control of the virtuosity.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-03-24

Tickling the Ivories?

The piano's original wooden keys were replaced with ivory as the instrument developed and gained popularity. In 1799, Phineas Pratt's invention revolutionized the process of making ivory keys, making them more visually appealing and durable than their wooden counterparts.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-03-23

Top Ravel Recordings

Gramophone presents a curated collection of 20 exceptional recordings that promise hours of enjoyable listening. Featuring a blend of timeless classics and contemporary releases, this selection showcases a diverse array of outstanding pianists.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-03-22

Play and Stay Young

Research suggests that improving lifestyle factors from midlife can decrease the risk of dementia by one third and playing a musical instrument is one of the most effective ways to keep your mind sharp.
Read more at telegraph.co.uk/

2024-03-21

Ax and Mozart on Curved Piano

Pianist Emanuel Ax believes that the decision to perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 on an ergonomically curved keyboard was inspired by the ergonomic design of computer keyboards, which allows for a more natural positioning of the arms and elbows. This design brings the keys on the extreme ends of the keyboard slightly closer to the player.
Read more at whyy.org

2024-03-20

A Young Pianist's Path

At 16, pianist Jesse M has become a Steinway Young Artist. She emphasizes that it signifies more than being merely a pianist, but rather a beacon of excellence, innovation, and tradition in the classical music realm. This prestigious title grants her access to exclusive opportunities for collaboration, performance, and artistic development. Furthermore, it serves as a platform to motivate aspiring musicians.
Read more at bandwagon.asia

2024-03-19

The Great Byron Janis Dies at 95

Byron Janis, the celebrated pianist, rose to fame as a cultural icon in the US after captivating audiences in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He was Horowitz's first student in 1944 and made his orchestral debut with Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra. At 18, he became RCA Victor Records' youngest artist.
Read more at google.com

2024-03-18

Art as Music

In his composition for large orchestra and solo piano, "Of the Sound of Pictures ", Swiss composer, pianist, and painter Alfons Karl Zwicker drew inspiration from five modern artists: Bucholz, Klee, Kandinsky, Klein, and Fruhtrunk. Incorporating key works from each artist, Zwicker crafted a musical landscape reflective of their abstract paintings, all originating from the 20th century.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-03-17

The Mystical Schumann

Pianist Burkard Schliessmann's 3-disc album takes a deep dive into the concept of phantasmagoria: a key aspect of Schumann's work that deals with the realms of fantasy and its connection to the real world. The pianist specifically highlights how this theme is mirrored in the notions of twilight.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk