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.

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International Piano

LETTERS

Canadian pianist wins Geneva Competition

COMPETITIONS NEWS

Musicians face toughest period since Second World War

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

Changing gear • Having swept up all three trophies at this year’s Santander Competition, Canadian pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko talks to James Imam about his unexpected triumph and why he is drawn to the multicultural identity of Canada’s contemporary music scene

Island dreams • A piano might seem out of place on a palm-fringed beach, but it is the most popular luxury item chosen by guests on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, reports Benjamin Ivry

The Ill-Tempered Clavier • Should gender come before talent when programming composers? Charivari steps onto a slippery slope

Balancing act • Standing up in court or seated at the piano, Paul Wee performs at the top of his game in two very di erent professions. Jeremy Nicholas talks to a high- ying commercial barrister with three highly acclaimed recordings and a fourth in the making

Franck reassessed • Once extremely popular, the challenging though never overtly virtuosic solo piano masterpieces of César Franck deserve renewed acclaim in the bicentenary of the composer’s birth, argues Robert Stove

Australian pioneer • Una Bourne was an extraordinary force of nature, a fine pianist with a long career that included many tours with soprano Dame Nellie Melba. Jeremy Nicholas welcomes a long overdue re-release of some of her recordings

The full picture • Programming music by women composers alongside their male contemporaries is essential to achieve gender equality in concert halls for future generations, argues Alexandra Dariescu

Remote control • Steinway & Sons is continuing to take technological strides with their ground-breaking Spirio technology. Owen Mortimer travelled to Hamburg for the unveiling of their latest model at the Elbphilharmonie

Look and listen • PlayScore2 is the latest edition of a versatile app that brings sheet music to life at the touch of a button. Owen Mortimer reports

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

Valsette

Starlight and Snowflakes

No competition • Stephen Wigler reports from Calgary in Canada, where the Honens Competition turned into a victory parade for winner Illia Ovcharenko

Capital success • Back on form following the pandemic, this year’s London Piano Festival fielded a compelling lineup of artists in stimulating repertoire spanning four centuries. Colin Clarke reports

Critic’s choice

Musical lives • Not all pianists can successfully commit their thoughts to the printed page, though plenty have tried. Benjamin Ivry selects a dozen of the finest piano memoirs

BOOKS • REVIEWS

In concert

NEXT ISSUE JANUARY 2023

Between the lines • Husum Festival director Peter Froundjian shares his pick of revelatory recordings