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.

Spirit of music

LETTERS

Lecce hosts new Piano City festival

Krystian Zimerman awarded Praemium Imperiale prize

Leeds International Piano Series returns to Leeds Conservatoire

Kawai piano in ‘concert in the clouds’

Yours sincerely • An old head on young shoulders, Cliburn Competition gold medallist Yunchan Lim has astonished audiences with the maturity of his music-making. He talks to Keith Clarke

Two of a kind • Do twin pianists have any advantage over other duos? There are plenty of examples to judge by, says Benjamin Ivry

Into the unknown • French pianist Vincent Larderet feels a strong affinity for Scriabin, whose music is the focus of his latest album. He meets Michael Church to discuss how the composer’s idiosyncrasies and taste for mysticism belie a never-ending search for musical truth

Unexplored delights • Mark Bebbington celebrates the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’ birth with a survey of the composer’s fascinating yet rarely performed piano works

Treasure trove • Martha Argerich’s artistic development is revealed in a series of historic live performances and interviews that showcase lesser-known aspects of her career.

Into the heavens • The death of German pianist Lars Vogt at the age of 51 has robbed the world of a superb artist whose capacity to plumb the depths of music was lauded by his peers and audiences alike.

Voice beyond words • Russian-born pianist Irina Lankova has long made her home in Europe, where she brings the traditions of deep expression and singing piano tone to a wide range of repertoire. She tells Michael Johnson about her new recording that matches Scriabin with Chopin

Gold standard • Half a century after founding the Santander International Piano Competition, Paloma O’Shea is stepping down. James Imam reports from this year’s event and ponders its future

French lessons • In a tiny village in south-west France, British pianists Ann Martin-Davis and Helen Leek host piano courses where laughter and kindness are an intrinsic part of the programme.

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

International Piano MASTERCL ASS • Angelo Villani introduces his haunting transcription of ‘Dido’s Lament’ by Purcell

Dido’s Lament • From Dido and Aeneas

Meditation

Meditation

Meditation

Luar nos açudes

Luar nos açudes • From Poemas do Monte Op 3

On top of the world • The Verbier Festival has stood the test of time, attracting a nucleus of loyal stars to an event that is something of a pilgrimage.

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Critic’s choice

Mozart: The Piano Sonatas on Mozart’s fortepiano

SOLO REPERTOIRE

HISTORIC RECORDINGS

PIANO CONCERTOS

CONTEMPORARY & JAZZ

CHAMBER MUSIC

BOOKS

SHEET MUSIC

In concert

Still the best • British pianist and conductor Ian Hobson selects special recordings from across the years