International Piano

International Piano offers a rich mix of inspiration and guidance to pianists and piano fans around the world, from dedicated amateurs and students to professional pianists, teachers and aficionados. Celebrating the piano in all its forms, including the fortepiano and digital keyboards, each edition of our magazine is packed with interviews, features, news and reviews showcasing the top artists of today and yesteryear.

Of one accord

International Piano

LETTERS

Japanese pianist wins Hastings Competition

Bechstein to open flagship UK centre in Manchester

Grand Passion Pianos launches first London showroom

NEWS IN BRIEF

James Lisney announces 60th birthday season

Sensitive storyteller • French pianist Jonathan Fournel was initially more interested in playing the trombone but says winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition changed his life. Michael Johnson reports

Speaking out • Benjamin Ivry considers how international pianists have reacted to the horror of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Ill-Tempered Clavier • Charivari gets riled by managers who block access to their artists

A sense of freedom • On his website, Igor Levit describes himself as ‘Citizen. European. Pianist.’ He is known for trenchant views, eclectic repertoire and deeply considered interpretations. He spent the lockdown months learning how to stream concerts, and caused a stir with a 20-hour Satie marathon. He talks to Michael Church about politics, Beethoven and Nina Simone

A new lease of life • After a Covid interruption, a broader, updated Gilmore International Piano Festival is launching under its new artistic director. Michael Johnson reports

GUEST EDITOR

Carte blanche • The creation of new music for piano is an important part of the Gilmore Festival’s mission. Colin Clarke talks to Russian-American pianist Kirill Gerstein, winner of the 2010 Gilmore Artist Award, which provided funds for him to commission new works

Radical openness • Three years ago, a recital by American pianist Jonathan Biss was brought to a halt by a panic attack. After initial denial, he decided to confront the issue head-on. Here he writes openly about discovering that anxiety is not a shameful weakness

Shared humanity • Drawing on her own life experiences, Lara Downes throws opens the doors of the classical music canon to reveal that we’re all connected

The other side • African-American pianist Michelle Cann has fond memories of her time as a student at the Gilmore Festival. Now she is back as a tutor. Claire Jackson reports

The big award • The Gilmore Artist Award is different from most in that winners have no idea they are being judged. American pianist Emanuel Ax, a member of the nominating committee, tells Jeremy Nicholas about his involvement in the secret process

Home from home • Simon Mundy introduces two women pianists who are bringing international chamber music to local communities far from their native lands

Sense and sensitivity • Joseph Middleton provides some illuminating insights into the complex and subtle art of the song pianist, deconstructing that old critical cliché of the ‘sensitive accompanist’

Two’s company

RETURNING TO THE PIANO • A technical refresher course for recommencing piano enthusiasts, created for International Piano

International Piano MASTERCLASS • Martin Roscoe explores the richly characterised variations of Schubert’s Impromptu in B-flat major

Impromptu

Critic’s choice

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