The Miami International Piano Festival and the Festival Internacional de Piano Rafael Orozco of Córdoba have entered a lasting artistic exchange: a bridge between Spain and the United States, built on a shared belief that music crosses borders, cultures and languages.
Córdoba in Miami
The Opening Gala of the Transatlantic Partnership. Two pianists of the Rafael Orozco Festival bring the musical traditions of Córdoba to South Florida for the first time.
- Daniel del Pino
- Emin Kiourktchian
Miami in Córdoba
The Festival travels to Spain for the first time. Three pianists long associated with Miami play three of the great concertos, with the Orquesta de Córdoba.
- Ilya ItinRachmaninoff, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
- Josu De SolaunProkofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2
- Kemal GekićTchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1
Two festivals, one artistic vision
Founded in 1997 by Giselle Brodsky, the Miami International Piano Festival has built its reputation on discovering artists of extraordinary individuality — through its concerts, its Academy, educational programs in the United States and Italy, recordings and masterclasses.
The Festival Internacional de Piano Rafael Orozco, founded in Córdoba in 2002 and directed by Juan Miguel Moreno Calderón, honors one of Spain’s greatest pianists and the ideals he embodied: poetic expression, technical mastery, profound musical individuality.
“The values that inspired Rafael Orozco are the same values that have guided this Festival since its founding,” says Brodsky. “This is much more than an exchange of concerts. It is the beginning of an enduring cultural dialogue.”
A protocol signed in Córdoba
In 2026 the City of Córdoba formally approved a protocol of collaboration with the Festival, recognizing Miami as a strategic cultural partner and a gateway to the Americas. It brings the artistic excellence of Córdoba to South Florida, and presents Miami to audiences in Spain.
The first season: two exchange concerts
On October 10 at 4:00 pm, at Newman Recital Hall, Frost School of Music, pianists Daniel del Pino and Emin Kiourktchian represent the Rafael Orozco Festival, bringing the musical traditions of Córdoba to South Florida for the first time.
On November 5, the Miami International Piano Festival is presented at the Gran Teatro de Córdoba with the Orquesta de Córdoba: Ilya Itin in Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Josu De Solaun in Prokofiev’s Second Concerto and Kemal Gekić in Tchaikovsky’s First.
A bridge, not a visit
Beyond these two evenings, the partnership sets up an ongoing exchange of artists, orchestral collaborations, masterclasses and educational programs. “Together we are creating a permanent artistic bridge,” Brodsky adds, “that will benefit performers, students, audiences and our two institutions for many years to come.”
The two cities suit the idea. Miami is one of the world’s great cultural crossroads; Córdoba’s heritage has stood for the meeting of civilizations for a thousand years.
Music transcends borders, cultures and languages. This partnership is built on that conviction.
- Miami International Piano Festival
- Festival Internacional de Piano Rafael Orozco
- Ayuntamiento de Córdoba
A collaboration between the Miami International Piano Festival, Patrons of Exceptional Artists, Inc., and the Festival Internacional de Piano Rafael Orozco, Córdoba, Spain.
