News Flash

2024-10-13

What About Levit on Brahms?

Sony Classical has released a new three-CD set featuring Johannes Brahms' music, performed by pianist Igor Levit and the Wiener Philharmoniker under Christian Thielemann. The recordings, particularly of the piano concertos, exhibit a remarkably warm, almost vinyl-like quality, partly due to the acoustics of the Vienna Musikverein.
Read more at blogcritics.org

2024-10-12

Neutral Flag in Warsaw 2025

The organizers of the the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, have announced that Russian pianists will only be eligible to participate in the 2025 edition if they compete under a neutral flag and publicly denounce Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-10-11

The Pianist with 50 Fingers

Following the success of the Divas & Icons exhibition, a new temporary exhibition will open at the House of Music Hungary in January 2025. In the meantime, a free pop-up exhibition honoring renowned pianist Gyorgy Cziffra will debut in the foyer of the institution in ear
Read more at hungarytoday.hu

2024-10-09

Avdeeva's Late Chopin

Yulianna, the 2010 First Prize winner at the XVI International Chopin Piano Competition, presents a new album dedicated to Chopin's music. The album features iconic works like the Nocturnes Op. 62, Polonaise-Fantaisie, Barcarolle , Sonata No. 3, and Mazurkas Op. 59. Recorded in the serene setting of the Tippet Rise Art Center in Montana, the album captures the natural inspiration that fueled Chopin's late compositions.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-10-08

Eyes on Eric Lu

Eric Lu, the 2018 Leeds International Piano Competition winner, has pursued a thriving international career as a soloist and concerto performer. Renowned for his "sensitive and emotionally intuitive" playing, he has focused on Schubert and Chopin, captivating audiences with his unique affinity for these composers.
Read more at interlude.hk

2024-10-07

ABRSM for One Handed Pianists

The ABRSM has introduced the first one-handed piano exam repertoire lists, expanding exam accessibility for musicians with upper limb differences. The new syllabus, covering grades 1 to 5, features 62 pieces by renowned composers like Chopin and emerging artists. Developed to address a repertoire shortage, the syllabus includes seven new commissions, aiming to increase accessibility and choice for one-handed pianists.
Read more at classical-music.com

2024-10-06

Pianist Vikingur Interviewed

Olafsson has intentionally avoided recording complete cycles of the Viennese masters. Despite signing with Deutsche Grammophon at 32, he has only released six solo albums in eight years, excluding concertos. Notable omissions from his repertoire include the Liszt Sonata, Schumann Fantasy and works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin.
Read more at spectator.co.uk

2024-10-04

A Talk with Pianist Hemmerlé

French pianist Patrick Hemmerle's primary teachers were Billy Eidi and Ventislav Yankov, who instilled in him a love for French and German repertoire, respectively. Joaquin Soriano taught him to play with greater openness. Today, he continues to learn through listening and recording, which is both challenging and rewarding.
Read more at pianistmagazine.com

2024-10-03

Lim and Chamayou Win Gramophone Awards

The Gramophone Classical Music Awards, established in 1977, annually honor outstanding solo artists, ensembles, and record labels for their contributions to classical recordings. 20-year-old pianist Yuncham Lim, recognized for his exceptional talent and future promise, was named Young Artist of the Year.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2024-10-02

Q+A with Pianist Denk

Jeremy Denk, a renowned American pianist and IU Jacobs School of Music alumnus, will conduct a piano masterclass at 8:30 PM on October 1st at Ford-Crawford Hall. This masterclass is part of the "Charles Ives at 150: Music, Imagination and American Culture" festival, which honors Ives as a pioneering American composer of the early 20th century.
Read more at iu.edu

2024-10-01

Pianistic Excellence Awarded in Cremona

The Cremona Musica Awards, established in 2014, have been announced by the cultural committee of the Cremona Musica International Exhibitions and Festival. The awards recognize exceptional individuals and institutions for their contributions to their respective fields.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2024-09-28

Steinway Model K at 120!

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the Steinway Model K upright piano. A cornerstone of Steinway's collection, the Model K continues to exemplify the company's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. It offers pianists a harmonious blend of sound quality and touch, solidifying Steinway & Sons' reputation for musical excellence.
Read more at upscalelivingmag.com

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