The Gilmore Blog
Featured Video: Sir András Schiff
Published Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Sir András Schiff is known as one of the most eminent pianists in the world. His interpretations of Bach have been praised by critics, who say the pianist “would make Bach proud” (New York Magazine), or that “there is nothing more reliable in the world of classical music today than pianist András Schiff playing Bach” […]
Featured Video: Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner
Published Tuesday, July 19, 2016
2014 Gilmore Young Artist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner has already had an impressive musical career. The youngest ever recipient of an associate’s degree, youngest admittee to The Juilliard School’s College Division, and first American soloist to perform in Iraq with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, Sanchez-Werner has built a name for himself. He also received the Atlantic […]
Published Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Jazz pianist Emmet Cohen works with students through the YoungArts Foundation, creating curricula and visiting schools to give lectures and lessons to younger pianists. “It’s important to keep them inspired,” Cohen says of working with kids. “Have them understand that playing music is fun – it’s not about practicing nine hours per day, slaving, and […]
Get to know the 2016-17 Rising Stars!
Published Thursday, June 30, 2016
This season, we’re bringing seven talented young pianists from around the world to Kalamazoo in our Rising Stars Series! That’s a record for us – the largest season in the series’ 17-year history. Get to know each young virtuoso – and subscribe to the series today! 1. Sean Chen – September 18, 2016 Sean Chen […]
Published Friday, May 6, 2016
Richard Goode performs at the Festival on May 11 in a solo recital at 8 PM and on May 12 with soprano Sarah Shafer at 2 PM. You can also see a master class with Goode on May 10 at 10:30 AM. Get to know a few facts about the American pianist! 1. Leonard Bernstein […]
Published Friday, May 6, 2016
Sarah Shafer has made headlines recently as a performer in several productions with the San Francisco Opera, a member of the Emerging Artist program with Opera Philadelphia, and a soloist at Carnegie Hall. Shafer, who is quickly becoming “one of opera’s most sought-after sopranos,” performs at the Festival on May 12 with pianist Richard Goode. […]
5 things to know about Jeffrey Kahane
Published Monday, May 2, 2016
JEFFREY KAHANE is both soloist and conductor of the May 4 concert by the Gilmore Festival Chamber Orchestra, comprising members of the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestras. Read on for some trivia about this multitasking performer! 1. He compares chamber orchestras to sports teams. “The kind of communication, cooperation, commitment to ferocious standards of […]
Jeremy Denk’s program: A “ragtime shuffle”
Published Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Audiences around the country are surprised and delighted to hear Jeremy Denk’s current program of Bach’s Third English Suite, Schubert’s “Wandererfantasie,” and – between the two – seven ragtime (or ragtime-related) works that the MacArthur “Genius” Grant winner calls “an exploration of the joy and wit of syncopation.” “The basic idea all comes down to […]
Published Monday, April 11, 2016
This April and May, The Gilmore is excited to collaborate with Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo – our sponsors for Lisa Moore’s May 10 recital at Wellspring Theater. The Alamo is presenting three fantastic films to help Kalamazoo prepare for the 2016 Gilmore Keyboard Festival. Read more and join us for the screenings! The Competition April 17 […]
Published Monday, April 11, 2016
As the 2016 Gilmore Keyboard Festival approaches, we ask staff members which events they most look forward to attending – because with nearly 100 concerts, films and master classes, The Gilmore staff knows better than anyone how difficult it can be to choose! Leslie Boughton, The Gilmore’s Education Coordinator, schedules master classes and elects students […]
Published Thursday, April 7, 2016
Richard Goode is regarded as one of the world’s leading classical and romantic pianists, known for his expressive and emotional depth in performance. But Goode is also well-known for his mentorship efforts – through master classes, panel appearances and other special projects. The 2016 Gilmore Festival offers three opportunities to experience Goode’s piano expertise. He […]
Published Friday, April 1, 2016
Weeks away from the opening night of the Festival, The Gilmore staff is hard at work ensuring that this year’s events will exceed all expectations. Jacquelyn Ross, The Gilmore’s Operations Coordinator, works with artists and their management to organize travel plans, rehearsal schedules, contracts, and many important Festival details. Here’s Jacquelyn’s recommendation for those interested […]
George Li wins 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant
Published Friday, April 1, 2016
Congratulations to 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Award winner George Li on his recent Avery Fisher Career Grant! Li will receive $25,000 in recognition of his potential for a major career. This follows Li’s success at the 15th annual International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia last summer. Previous pianists to win the career grant in recent years […]
Featured Video: Jeffrey Kahane
Published Friday, April 1, 2016
Jeffrey Kahane, a concert pianist and conductor from Los Angeles, has played the piano for over half a century. Over the years, he has won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition, an Avery Fisher Career Grant and an honorary degree from Sonoma State University. He began conducting in the late […]
Featured Video: Elio Villafranca
Published Thursday, March 17, 2016
Watch upcoming Festival performer Elio Villafranca in Steinway & Sons’ “Live from the Factory Floor” series, which brings together renowned Steinway pianists and the talented craftspeople who create their piano of choice. The pianists perform for the Steinway production staff in what Steinway CEO Michael Sweeney calls “a dramatic reunion of separated family members.” Villafranca […]
