Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival announces its 2018-2019 concert season

June 17, 2018

piano on stage

The Gilmore will present two different solo piano series in the coming season. The Piano Masters Series features some of the world’s most renowned and celebrated artists. The Rising Stars Series presents young pianists who are in the early stages of their professional journey.

“The Gilmore has a rich tradition of bringing outstanding artists from around the world to Kalamazoo,” said Director Pierre van der Westhuizen. “This season is no exception. I am very excited about our lineup.”

Piano Masters Series

This season’s Piano Masters Series features two unique and distinctly different musicians. Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Montero makes her Gilmore debut appearance at Chenery Auditorium on Thursday, November 15. The Grammy Award winning Montero is a compelling interpreter of the classical repertoire, and a natural-born improvisor. Her performance will feature the works of Mozart and Beethoven and an exciting second half filled with improvisations on themes generated from the audience.

On Sunday May 5, 2019, legendary pianist Murray Perahia makes his fourth Gilmore appearance, also at Chenery Auditorium. In a career spanning more than forty years, Murray Perahia has become one of the most sought after and cherished pianists of our time.

Rising Stars Series

The Gilmore continues its mission of supporting the next generation of promising pianists with the Rising Stars Series starting Sunday, September 16. Italian Luca Buratto kicks off the series with a program of Bach, Ades and Schumann. The fiery and passionate Hungarian pianist Zoltán Fejérvári fills Wellspring Theater on Sunday, November 4 with the works of Janáček, Bartók and Schubert.

Russian pianist Nikita Mndoyants, winner of the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition, performs on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Chinese pianist Zhang Zuo performs Bach, Schumann, Chopin and two Ravel pieces on Sunday, February 10.

The series ends in March and April with Americans Daniel Hsu, 2016 Gilmore Young Artist, and Singapore-born pianist Kate Liu.

Ticket Information

Presale tickets are available to donors starting Tuesday, July 10. General public ticket sales start on Monday, July 30.

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