PIANO FESTIVAL1

2015 Piano Festival Schedule

All Piano Festival events are presented FREE to our community

________________________________

2015 Festival Performing Artists

”A Rach Star is Born . . .” Washington Post

In September 2009 Sofya Gulyak was awarded the 1st prize and the Princess Mary Gold Medal at the Sixteenth Leeds International Piano Competition – the first and only woman to achieve this distinction. Since then she has appeared all over the world to great acclaim.

Her recital programs are frequently reviewed in superlatives, and her concerto appearances with major orchestras are written up in glowing terms by the world’s music press. Sofya has been praised for her "tremendous precision and coloration...exquisite soft playing ...delicacy yet" read more . . .

Sofya Gulyak, Russia

Winner, Leeds International Piano Competition 2009

“Immaculately voiced . . . subtleties of shading and dynamics” New York Times

Taiwanese American pianist Steven Lin is an immediately engaging and imaginative young artist, applauded by the New York Times for playing that is “…immaculately voiced and enhanced by admirable subtleties of shading and dynamics,” and his growing list of awards features the 2012 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition and the John Giordano Jury Chairman Discretionary Award at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

In May 2014, his dynamic playing at Israel’s Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition was recognized when he was awarded the Silver Medal as well as numerous performance prize engagements in Israel and internationally. read more . . .

Steven Lin, Taiwan/USA

Silver Medal, Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition 2014

Rachel Cheung, China

Prize Winner, 16th Leeds International Piano Competition

Johnandrew Slominski, USA

International Award-Winning Pianist Professor, Eastman School of Music

Quynh Nguyen, Vietnam/USA

International Performing and Recording Artist Faculty, Hunter College

“ . . . a rare talent, already on the cusp of greatness.” Miami Daily News

Rachel Cheung has been a prize winner in major international competitions including the Alessandro Casagrande International Piano Competition in Italy, the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition in the UK, and was a semifinalist at the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.

In 2012, Rachel received the prestigious Georges Leibenson Prize at the Geneva International Piano Competition. read more . . .

“This man has a rare ability . . . I did not dare to imagine such a great performance could ever happen.” Ann Cherry, composer

American pianist Johnandrew Slominski is establishing a distinguished reputation as a performer and pedagogue. An international award-winning pianist, teacher, and scholar, his work in historical performance practice, analysis and performance, pedagogy, and improvisation is receiving increasing recognition.

By 21, Slominski earned three degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, including a Master of Music in Performance and Literature, a Master of Arts in Pedagogy of Music Theory, and a Bachelor of Music in Performance; his first professorship followed two years later. He was unanimously nominated for Eastman's coveted Performer's Certificate in recognition of outstanding concert artistry--the youngest individual to have received such an honor. read more . . .

“She is a real artist . . . graced with beauty and exuberance!” New York Review

In 2004, pianist Quynh Nguyen was selected as one of the classical "Young Stars of Tomorrow,” a prestigious and elite recognition by Musical America. Ms. Nguyen has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.

Ms. Nguyen has also distinguished herself as a prizewinner in various piano competitions such as the Artist International Presentation Competition, the Bellflower Orchestra Competition, the Artists of Tomorrow Competition of the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra, and the International Piano Concerto Competition in San Francisco. read more . . .

________________________________

International Piano Festival 2015

April 22 - April 25

Featuring Solo Recitals & Piano Concerti

All Concerts at Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood

Sun Valley Artist Series presents the largest free piano festival of its kind in the United States. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, all concerts presented over the four-day period will be offered free to our community, and free to our LiveStream audiences worldwide. If you would like to help support our festival, click here.

In the tradition of the 19th century salon performances, Sun Valley Artist Series presents four days of world-class solo piano performances in an intimate setting. For the featured piano concerti performances, a second pianist will accompany the soloist—a collaborative role traditionally performed by an orchestra. As with the solo performances, these concerti will include some of the repertoire’s best-loved, and most powerful works.

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, admission is free.

Click for Festival Venue