News Flash

2024-09-27

Being Mozart

Max Reilly, a 28-year-old pianist, has undergone intensive training to become an actor, specifically portraying Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On Friday, he will debut as Mozart in "Amadeus," marking the grand opening of Colorado Mesa University's Asteria Theatre. Despite his nerves, Reilly acknowledges that anxiety is a common part of his profession.
Read more at gjsentinel.com

2024-09-26

Story Telling Pianist

Pianist Ruei-bin Chen seeks to showcase Taiwan's vibrant history and culture through music. By performing works by Taiwanese composers, he aims to introduce Southeast Asian audiences to the distinctive beauty of Taiwanese music.
Read more at taiwannews.com.tw

2024-09-25

Who Won The Leeds?

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, a young Canadian pianist from British Columbia, has added his name to the list of musicians who have won multiple international awards. On September 21, he was crowned the first-prize winner at the Leeds International Piano Competition in the UK. Upon hearing the jury's decision, Izik-Dzurko expressed his "indescribable honor."
Read more at ludwig-van.com

2024-09-25

Sokolov's Purcell and Mozart

Recorded in Spain in 2023, this album showcases Sokolov's latest interpretations. It opens with 17 Purcell tracks, including Suites Nos. 2, 4, and 7. While enjoyable, these pieces might benefit more from the harpsichord's distinctive sound, which complements the music better than the piano's richer tone.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-09-24

Goodyear's Good Year!

Toronto pianist Stewart Goodyear is enjoying a remarkable year. In September, he delivered a highly acclaimed performance at the BBC Proms with the Chineke! Orchestra. The program included Ellington's jazz-inspired version of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony, and Goodyear's own "Callaloo," a suite celebrating Caribbean culture.
Read more at ludwig-van.com

2024-09-23

Embarking on LvB's 32

Julian Jaeyoung Kim, a South Korean pianist, is embarking on a ambitious project to record all 32 Beethoven sonatas. Inspired by Beethoven's influence on Brahms, Kim aims to continue his exploration of classical music after his successful debut recording of Brahms.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-09-21

Double Piano Greats Celebrate 50

Peter Donohoe and Martin Roscoe, two legendary pianists who met at the Royal Northern College of Music, celebrated their 50th year of collaboration. The duo's performance of piano duets was a magical evening, reflecting their enduring friendship and exceptional musical partnership.
Read more at theartsdesk.com

2024-09-20

Buniatishvili in Conversation

Khatia Buniatishvili has conquered works of composers like Liszt, Chopin, and Beethoven. Her global performances and collaborations with artists like Chris Martin have solidified her status. She has also ventured into more experimental territory. The album "Labyrinth", features works by Morricone and Cage.
Read more at thepitchkc.com

2024-09-20

New Mozart Work Discovered!

A newly discovered piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, believed to be from his early teens, has been unearthed at a German library. Dating back to the mid-to-late 1760s, the composition is a string trio consisting of seven miniature movements, totaling approximately 12 minutes.
Read more at theguardian.com

2024-09-20

Praemium Imperiale Award to Pires

The Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires has been awarded this year's Praemium Imperiale for Music. This prestigious award, worth 15 million Yen (approximately 94,000 Euro), is presented annually by the Japan Art Association under the patronage of Prince Hitachi.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-09-19

The Finalists in Leeds

Five pianists have advanced to the Concerto Finals of the Leeds International Piano Competition. They will now compete with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Domingo Hindoyan for one of the most coveted prizes in classical music.
Read more at pianistmagazine.com

2024-09-18

Rana Under the Magnifying Glass

Brahms and Ravel? A seemingly odd pairing, like oil and water. But musicians are more than just performers; they're storytellers. Beatrice Rana defies expectations by uniting these two composers in a captivating new recital program.
Read more at bachtrack.com

2024-09-17

Hyperion Goes Vinyl

Hyperion Records, after a hiatus of over three decades, is returning to vinyl. The label's initial vinyl releases include five carefully selected albums, three of which feature pianists, marking a return to the format that defined their early and most influential recordings.
Read more at pianistmagazine.com

2024-09-15

Giltburg's Wigmore 32 Cycle

Boris Giltburg, the renowned pianist known for his joyful and insightful performances, faced a formidable challenge: Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata. In his insightful online essays, Giltburg suggests that the sonata's title might be more accurately replaced with "Titanic," given its immense scale and complexity.
Read more at theartsdesk.com/

2024-09-14

Must Have Beethoven

Paul Jacobs, Yuri Egorov, and Rafael Orozco, pianists from the United States, Russia, and Spain, respectively, shared a tragic fate. They all succumbed to the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s. Jacobs was a beloved figure in the music world, Egorov's promising career was cut short, and Orozco enjoyed a brief but significant presence on the concert stage.
Read more at limelight-arts.com.au

2024-09-13

Appassionata Passion!

Renowned pianist Paavali Jumppanen shares his deep affection for Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata. This iconic masterpiece will be showcased in a performance at the Martinborough Festival later this month. Based in Melbourne, Jumppanen revealed to Bryan Crump why the Sonata No 23 in F Minor holds a special place in his heart.
Read more at rnz.co.nz

2024-09-12

Pianist Showcases Talents

Irish pianist John O'Conor will perform solo and with violinist Eric Olson at Bemidji State on September 13th and 14th. The duo will also join a discussion about their music and friendship.
Read more at kaxe.org

2024-09-12

Piano Shortlistings for The Gramophone Awards

The best recpordings 2024? Many pianists show on this year's shorlistings for The Gramophone Awards. Find all categories' choices here.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-09-11

An Armenian Deep Dive

Describing the intricate soundscape of Tigran Hamasyan's new album, The Bird of a Thousand Voices, is a challenge worth taking on. This award-winning pianist has created a remarkable musical journey that will captivate listeners.
Read more at analogplanet.com

2024-09-11

Lisney Talks Chopin

British pianist James Lisney, a direct teachers' descendant of Chopin, will perform the composer's beloved works this autumn. Lisney's tour, titled "Ballads and Romances" showcases Chopin's virtuosity, narrative power, and poetic sensibility.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-09-09

The New Chopin Podcast

The Chopin Podcast is a new series exploring the genius of Chopin's piano music. Join host Ben Laude and GRAMMY-winning pianist Garrick Ohlsson for a deep dive into the composer's world.
Read more at chopinpodcast.com

2024-09-08

Musical Family Business

The success of pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and her six siblings, driven by their parents' passion for classical music, highlights their determination. All have thrived in their busy household, becoming professional musicians. "When music is part of your environment, it feels normal."
Read more at abc.net.au

2024-09-07

The 20th Chopin and His Europe Festival

Warsaw is presently running the 20th Chopin and His Europe festival. This year's theme - "Chopin and the Rest of the World" - highlights a diverse program juxtaposing Chopin's works with European music and showcasing exceptional musical performances from all continents. Here's an interview with the latest Chopin Competition winner Bruce Liu.
Read more at youtube.com

2024-09-06

Pianist Edge Walker Brubaker

Pianist Bruce Brubaker navigates the intersection of classical music with experimental, electronica and contemporary works. His albums feature interpretations of Glass, Monk, Muhly, Adams, and now Brian Eno. In his recent release, he tackles three tracks from Eno's Ambient 1: Music for Airports, plus other Eno pieces.
Read more at tapeop.com