News Flash

2025-02-16

The Amazing Hazel Scott

Trinidad-born Hazel Scott, the "darling of Café Society," was a child prodigy, accepted at Juilliard at 8. By 14, she toured with female bands, mentored by Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, and Art Tatum.
Read more at wqxr.org

2025-02-15

A Final Fantasy Recital

Final Fantasy's official piano concert, Crystalline Resonance, returns to Singapore after its 2023 Esplanade debut. This multi-continent tour showcases music by composers like Uematsu, Soken, and Shimamura, spanning the series's 40-year history.
Read more at hardwarezone.com

2025-02-14

The Great Maria Tipo Dies

Pianist Maria Tipo died at 93. Born in Naples (1931), she was admired for her Scarlatti, Clementi, Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven recordings. A student of Casella and Agosti, she won the Geneva competition, impressing Rubinstein.
Read more at bachtrack.com

2025-02-13

Liszt's Transcendencies

Liszt's Etude en douze exercices evolved through several revisions. In 1837, he released Vingt-quatre grandes études (still twelve studies), dedicated to Czerny. These further transformed into his most famous work, the Etudes d’exécution transcendante, published in 1851."
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-02-12

Pianist Tsujii in Conversation

Despite being blind, Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, 2009 Van Cliburn winner, finds his greatest joy in the piano. From stage performances to recording contracts, the instrument embodies joy in his life.
Read more at koreaherald.com

2025-02-11

Bermudan Pianist Wins Grammy

Bermudian pianist Michelle Cann and soprano Karen Slack made Grammy history, becoming the first Black women duo to win their category. Cann performed on their award-winning album, Beyond The Years - Unpublished Songs Of Florence Price.
Read more at royalgazette.com

2025-02-10

Claudio Arrau - A Giant

Claudio Arrau, a 20th-century piano giant, was revered for his introspective and technically flawless performances. His emotionally resonant and intellectually rigorous playing established him as a master of the Romantic and Classical repertoires. His career spanned seven decades.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-02-09

Vikingur + Grammy = True

Víkingur Ólafsson won his first Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for his Goldberg Variations recording. His Australian debut with the work earned rave reviews, with one critic calling it "wonderful, even miraculous," and praising Ólafsson's discovery of "colours we never knew were there.
Read more at /limelight-arts.com.au

2025-02-08

Next-Gen Bach?

A new generation of pianists blends classical precision with daring contemporary flair, pushing boundaries and creating dynamic soundscapes. Their fearless approach infuses classics with modern energy. Discover 10 fresh takes on Bach by today's hottest pianists.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-02-07

Pianist Tao and Lumatone at Carnegie Hall

Conrad Tao, described the Lumatone, a 280-key digital keyboard, as "versatile, customizable," and capable of accessing pitches beyond a standard piano. The avant-garde concert contained music by Debussy, Schumann, Harold Arlen, as well as Tao himself.
Read more at seenandheard-international.com

2025-02-06

Most Popular Mozart Sonatas?

Mozart's beloved piano sonatas blend charm, wit, and elegance. These 18 works showcase his mastery of melody, harmony, and form, balancing classical structures with harmonic surprises and ingenious thematic development, expressing both humor and deep emotion. Which are your favourites?
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-02-05

Piano as Dementia Blocker

Piano is a popular instrument for adults learning something new, with many hoping its complex, independent hand movements can help prevent dementia. An expert told The Mainichi Shimbun that piano playing offers numerous brain benefits for elders, aiding dementia prevention.
Read more at mainichi.jp

2025-02-04

Two Tchaikovsky Winners in L.A.

Alexander and Alexandre, both in their 20s, share Tchaikovsky Competition gold medals, rising star status, and Russian roots. Yet, despite both performing Rachmaninoff in Southern California this weekend, these pianists couldn't be more different.
Read more at latimes.com

2025-02-04

A New Kind of Piano Competition

The Shanghai International Musician Competition redefines piano excellence. Unlike traditional competitions, it challenges pianists in solo performance, chamber music, lied accompaniment, and conducting from the keyboard. This Shanghai-Savonlinna collaboration sets a new standard for musical artistry, reflecting the modern pianist's evolving demands.
Read more at shanghaimusiciancompetition.com

2025-02-03

77 Contestants at Cliburn

The Cliburn has announced the 77 pianists from 22 countries selected from 340 applicants for the live Screening Auditions (March 16-22, 2025) of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (May 21-June 7, 2025). The Auditions are free and open to the public.
Read more at fwtx.com

2025-02-02

First Time Ever - Field's Nocturnes on DG

Alice Sara Ott's latest album features the complete nocturnes by John Field, including lesser-known pieces like "The Troubadour" and "Dernière pensée." This reflects Ott's inclination to explore unconventional paths
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2025-02-01

New Book: A National Pianistic Treasure

During WWII, Dame Myra Hess's legendary National Gallery lunchtime concerts uplifted Londoners. This first biography in 50 years explores her journey from rebellious musician to national heroine, revealing unpublished material, her famous Bach transcription, collaborations, and vibrant diaries, showcasing her unique, generous, courageous, and humorous personality.
Read more at kahnandaverill.co.uk

2025-01-31

Stellar Pianists in Lucerne

Lucerne's "Le Piano Symphonique" festival thrives on drama. Headliner Martha Argerich, the legendary pianist, arrived from the US battling a nasty flu. At 83, her health was a major concern. Would the star be able to perform?
Read more at theguardian.com

2025-01-30

The Viral Pianist Awarded

The Leonard Bernstein Award, a €10,000 prize from the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, is sponsored by Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. This year, pianist Hayato Sumino AKA Cateen is the recipient.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2025-01-29

Cho Celebrating Ravel

Gramophone's James Jolly interviewed pianist Seong-Jin Cho following his performance of all Ravel solo works in a single evening in Liechtenstein. They discussed Ravel's significant contributions to the piano repertoire.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2025-01-28

22 Hours Satie with Levit!

Igor Levit will perform Erik Satie's "Vexations" 840 times consecutively at London's Southbank Centre on April 24th, a 22-hour marathon following Satie's 1893 instructions.
Read more at people.com

2025-01-28

Happy Birthday Arthur Rubinstein

Born on January 28th, Arthur Rubinstein remains a legendary 20th-century pianist. His legacy rests upon his expressive artistry, impeccable technique, and profound emotional connection to the music.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-01-27

Bruce Liu at Carnegie Hall

Bruce Liu, 2021 Chopin Competition winner, has transcended his early fame. Beyond Chopin, he masterfully navigates French repertoire and now, in his second Carnegie Hall recital, delves into the profound world of Russian music.
Read more at bachtrack.com

2025-01-26

Pianist Presents Forbidden Love

David Kadouch's "Forbidden Love," showcases a diverse range of composers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Tchaikovsky, Poland's Karol Szymanowski, and French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet.
Read more at npr.org