Your Festival Soundtrack

As the 2026 Festival gets closer, the excitement is building, and the office has been buzzing with music all day long. We’re getting ready to hear some of the best artists in the world, and now you can too. Gilmore Executive and Artistic Director Pierre van der Westhuizen and jazz pianist, WMU professor, and past Gilmore performer Matthew Fries have each curated a playlist to get you in the Festival spirit. Press play and start planning your perfect Festival experience.

Pierre’s Picks: Classical Highlights

Pierre has selected some of his favorite performances from this year’s Festival artists, each one chosen to showcase what makes them exceptional. You’ll hear 2024 Gilmore Artist Alexandre Kantorow perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (we promise it’s even more thrilling live). You’ll also hear Richard Goode’s Diabelli Variations, Sara Davis Buechner performing Rhapsody in Blue from the one-woman show she’ll bring to the Festival, and more. Listen here.

Jazz Essentials from Matthew

Matthew has graciously shared a playlist featuring some of his favorite performances by this year’s jazz artists. In it, you’ll hear 2026 Bell Artist Sullivan Fortner’s remarkable creativity and technical command in a solo performance, Nicole Zuraitis’s rich and soulful voice, Chucho Valdés’s infectious joy and energy, and more. Listen here.