News Flash

2025-05-28

Yuja's Shostakovich

Shostakovich, initially a concert pianist like Scriabin and Rachmaninoff, shifted focus after an unsuccessful showing at the 1927 Chopin Competition. Though he abandoned a performance career, he continued composing and recording, including two piano concertos and sets of preludes and fugues in the Bach tradition.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-27

Get to Know Florence Price

Florence Beatrice Price, wrote over 300 works, some still performed today. Though a professor, organist, and accompanist, she's celebrated as the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra—her Symphony in E minor by the Chicago Symphony in 1933 which also premiered her Piano Concerto the following year.
Read more at wqxr.org

2025-05-27

Player Piano Day!

The 19th century saw pianos become central to middle-class homes, with children often showcasing musical skills. This era's technological advancements also birthed the player piano. In 1896, Edwin S. Votey created the Pianola, an external pneumatic mechanism that brought automated music to the home.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-26

The Moór Pianoforte.

While the casework was significantly altered, Moór's invention was truly a dual keyboard system for traditional pianos. Its aim was to simplify complex compositions and large intervals, such as those found in works by Rachmaninov and Chopin, making them more accessible to play.
Read more at worldpianonews.com

2025-05-25

Hiromi in Ten Takes

Pianist-composer Hiromi Uehara possesses restless creativity, seamlessly blending solo classical works with high-octane fusion since 2003. She's collaborated widely, notably with jazz legends like Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea, who famously invited her to duet at age 17.
Read more at wrti.org

2025-05-24

Purcell on Piano

Romanian pianist Cristian Sandrin delivers the first complete piano recording of Henry Purcell's eight keyboard suites. While harpsichord versions exist, Sandrin's piano interpretation offers a fresh perspective on these works, published posthumously in 1696.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-23

Pictures as Piano Pieces

Pictures at an Exhibition echoes Schumann's Carnaval in its character portraits. However, Mussorgsky's direct inspiration was far darker: his growing preoccupation with death, a shadow that consumed him seven years later.
Read more at classical-music.com

2025-05-23

The Chopin Podcast

Now on its second season, the Chopin Podcast, a multi-episode series hosted by Ben Laude features insights from Garrick Ohlsson, Chopin scholars, and medalists. This podcast offers an intimate, broad exploration of Chopin's works for both enthusiasts, curious and professionals.
Read more at chopinpodcast.com

2025-05-22

The Mason & Hamlin Story

Mason & Hamlin pianos are known for their robust construction, powerful and rich American tone, and the longevity of their sound due to unique design innovations like the Tension Resonator. They represent a significant part of American piano manufacturing heritage.  
Read more at cbsnews.com

2025-05-21

The Age Impact and Cliburn

Since 1962, Fort Worth's Cliburn Competition has been a top classical music event for 18-30 year-old pianists. Over 63 years, 18 gold medalists, including 2017 winner Yekwon Sunwoo (then 28), 18 silver, and 13 bronze laureates have emerged.
Read more at keranews.org

2025-05-20

Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition Finalists

Entrant quality drives the competition. A vital pre-selection jury chose 70 from 300 applicants. After withdrawals, 60 played the quarter-finals, 24 advanced to the semifinals, and 12 reached the finals. Both later rounds feature challenging commissioned works, intensifying the pressure.
Read more at limelight-arts.com

2025-05-19

Wang, Lang and Yu Named Artistic Advisers

Universal Music launched Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Note Records China. These new imprints will champion emerging Chinese artists, cultivate original music, and help Chinese musicians reach global audiences, expanding the iconic classical and jazz labels' reach.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2025-05-18

Ravel in a Thousand Sparkles

A musical and visual journey into Maurice Ravel's life, this film showcases his timeless works and intimate creations. Enhanced by stunning visuals, immersive 360° sound, and modern cinematic techniques, it redefines the musical film experience.
Read more at arte.tv

2025-05-17

Horowitz's Seven Students

A legendary pianist, Vladimir Horowitz favored performance over formal teaching, mentoring only a select few. Though the exact number is debated, each individual developed a distinct and significant relationship with the iconic virtuoso.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-15

Rana Plays Ravel's G major Concerto

ARTE TV contributes to the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel's birth. Cristian Macelaru and the Orchestre National de France, together with Beatrice Rana, pay tribute to his enduring musical impact.
Read more at arte.tv

2025-05-14

Pianist Ilona Knew Brahms

Pianist Ilona Eibenschütz, a student of Clara Schumann and part of Brahms's inner circle, offers a humanizing glimpse into the composer's life through her vivid recollections from a 1952 interview, detailing her youthful awe upon first meeting him.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-13

Pianist Expanding Horizons

Portland pianist, teacher, and composer Stephen Lewis champions "neglected music" through his Modernist Piano Series. His passion ignited at Oberlin, leading to rousing performances of early to mid-20th-century avant-garde masterpieces, captivating new listeners.
Read more at orartswatch.org

2025-05-12

More Hockney and Piano

Invited by David Hockney, pianists Kolesnikov and Tsoy offered an intimate Rite of Spring performance in his vibrant studio. This deeply personal piece for Hockney, who once designed its stage, sparked a grander vision.
Read more at standard.co.uk

2025-05-11

Is Activity Progress?

The adage "Don't mistake activity for progress" highlights that busyness differs from effectiveness. This is crucial for musicians, who spend countless hours practicing. A romantic notion persists that sheer practice time guarantees perfection, a misconception held by both musicians and the public.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-05-10

Kissin Salutes Shostakovich

Evgeny Kissin, born shortly after Shostakovich's 1975 death, couldn't recall the composer's grand Moscow funeral. Yet, like all Soviet classical musicians, Kissin deeply engaged with and performed Shostakovich's works from his youth.
Read more at playbill.com

2025-05-09

Malofeev Signs with Sony

Sony Classical welcomes the acclaimed pianist Alexander Malofeev to its exclusive roster. The twenty-three-year-old Berlin resident, hailed by critics for his evocative performances, will release his debut album with the label this fall.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2025-05-08

Thoughts on Kissin

"I have been devotedly following the career of the once world-famous child prodigy pianist Evgeny Kissin for forty years. I’ve been lucky enough to have attended most of his 11 Celebrity Series appearances since 1991 and hope to never miss another."
Read more at artsfuse.org

2025-05-08

Keyboard Icon Jarrett at 80

Celebrating Keith Jarrett's 80th birthday, ECM Records released a new single from his final tour. This track previews the upcoming album, "New Vienna," recorded almost a decade ago at Vienna's historic Musikverein, a venue steeped in classical music history.
Read more at wrti.org

2025-05-07

Piano Marathon for Satie 100

On May 5th, Hong Kong hosted a 14+ hour piano marathon featuring local artists interpreting Satie, aiming for a world record of uninterrupted music honoring the innovative French composer.
Read more at thestandard.com