"The need for such a festival is incontrovertible. To have a showcase festival specially dedicated to new artists is not just an act of faith but a beacon of hope for the next generation that renewal has not been ruled out. In the context of the United States, the significance of such a festival is multiplied many times over. The value of an independent festival introducing the cream of the world's new pianists to the United States cannot therefore be overestimated." - Norman Lebrecht on The Miami International Piano Festival
Established in 1998, the Miami International Piano Festival is the public outreach vehicle of Patrons of Exceptional Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to the immediate discovery, promotion, nurturing, and support of extraordinary artists and to the long term goal of insuring continuity with the great traditions of the past.
Hailed as unique, the Miami International Piano Festival has been recognized as one of the most exciting recital series in the world today. The Festival presents artists, both emerging and established, who have their own distinct voices, who are not only capable of challenging convention but who are able to demonstrate that there are important interpretive ideas still to be expressed both in mainstream and rare repertoire - artists who clearly deserve international careers.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2007, the Festival has earned an enviable reputation for its high musical standards. Each year the Artistic Advisory Committee composed of pianists, music critics, and scholars on two continents searches the globe to identify extraordinary talents capable of mesmerizing listeners and leading us into the next "Golden Age" of piano playing. The choice is not a matter of competition but rather of selection based upon criteria of true excellence.
The Festival is making an indelible mark in the music world. Since 1998, it has discovered eighteen extraordinary, emerging European and American "Masters of the Keyboard." The Festival serves not only as a presenter of these artists' innovative and exciting performances but also introduces their talents to concert management and promoters throughout the world.
Complementing the annual Festival weeks are lectures and panel discussions by seasoned professionals in music and related fields as well as master classes for talented and promising future keyboard artists.
The 2008 Season of the Miami International Piano Festival
Entering its 11th year and beginning its 2nd decade, the FESTIVAL is pleasedto announce the followin concerts featuring some of the finest musicians in the world.
For Program Details, please click on the Calendar Section
MARCH 2008 – MASTER SERIES Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Amaturo Theater 501 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Sunday, March 30th
An unprecedented day of recitals by one the world’s greatest Bach interpreters
3:00 p.m. – Konstantin Lifschitz (Russia)
J.S. Bach: The Well Tempered Clavier – Book I
8:00 p.m. Konstantin Lifschitz (Russia)
J.S. Bach: The Well Tempered Clavier – Book II
Monday, March 31st
"Prodigies & Masters of Tomorrow"
8:00 p.m.Kit Armstrong (USA)
Bach Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971
Mozart Sonata in B-flat, K 333
Beethoven Variations in F, Op 34
Kit Armstrong Sweet Remembrance
Debussy Estampes
Chopin Nocturne in D flat, Op. 27 No. 2
Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52
Tuesday, April 1st
Concerto Night!
8:00 p.m. The Miami International Piano Festival Orchestra, William Noll, Conductor Kemal Gekic (Croatia) - Brahms Concerto #1 in D Minor Sijing Ye (China) - Saint-Saens Concerto #2 in G Minor
MAY 2008 – DISCOVERY SERIES Lincoln Theater, 541 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
Thursday, May 8th
8:15 p.m. – Jorge Luis Prats (Cuba)
A journey into the music of Spain, Cuba & Brazil!
Granados: Goyescas ● Villalobos: Bachianas ● Liszt/Prats Spanish Raphsody
Friday, May 9th
8:15 p.m. – Gulsin Onay (Turkey)
South Florida debut follows performances with Vladimir Asheinazy & Vienna Symphony
Bach Bussoni: Two Chorals ● Schuman: Abegg Variations,
Mendelssohn: Variations serieuses, Op. 54 ● Elgar: Smyrna
Saygun: 6 Preludes in Aksak Rhythms, Op. 45 ● Chopin: Ballade No. 3 & Variations Op 12
Liszt: March for Sultan Abdul Mejcid-Khan
Saturday, May 10th
2:00 p.m. – Prodigies & Masters of Tomorrow Sijing Ye (China) 15 year old phenomenon
8:15 p.m. – Aleksandar Madzar (Serbia)
“An artist whose horizons are far wider that those of many of his peers . . .” The Guardian
Beethoven: Diabelli-Variations (Opus 120) ● Szymanowski: Piano Sonata No 2 ●
Chopin: Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise Brillante Opus 23
Sunday, May 11th
Concerto Night!
8:15 p.m. The Miami International Piano Festival Orchestra, William Noll, Conductor Gulsin Onay (Turkey) – Chopin Concerto # 2 Pietro de Maria (Italy) – Tchaikovsky Concerto #1
Programs and Artists Subject to Change.
Individual tickets range from $15 to $50, with student discount discounts available. Tickets and information are available by calling 305-935-5115