2020 Festival Events

Scheduled to run from Wednesday, April 22 to Sunday, May 10 the 2020 Gilmore International Keyboard Festival was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some artists have been rescheduled to appear during the 2020-21 concert series.

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A Celebration of Beethoven

Yefim Bronfman

A Celebration of Beethoven

04/25/2020 8:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Beethoven the Titan Mr. Bronfman, a virtuoso pianist known for his commanding technique, strength, and intensity, applies his extraordinary artistic […]

Jonathan Biss

A Celebration of Beethoven

05/03/2020 2:00PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Beethoven the Thinker In this solo piano recital, and an accompanying lecture on May 2, Beethoven expert Jonathan Biss leads […]

Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist

A Celebration of Beethoven

05/08/2020 2:00PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Beethoven the Humanist Mr. Levit performs an all-Beethoven program, including the “Hammerklavier” Sonata, one of the most astonishing works ever […]

Blissfully Baroque

Angela Hewitt

Blissfully Baroque

04/28/2020 7:30PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

A Bach Odyssey In 2016, the great Angela Hewitt set out to perform all of the keyboard works of J.S. […]

Alexandre Tharaud

Blissfully Baroque

05/01/2020 8:00PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Music From the Grand Court of Versailles French pianist Alexandre Tharaud performs the lush and lively music that captivated kings […]

Apollo’s Fire

Blissfully Baroque

05/05/2020 7:30PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

A program of baroque orchestra music inspired by the raucous coffeehouse concerts led by Bach in 18th-century Leipzig. Listen for […]

Brain Gain

Yefim Bronfman, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

04/25/2020 12:30PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Speaker: Zaide Pixley, Professor Emerita, Kalamazoo College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members […]

Kristian Bezuidenhout, Lecture

Brain Gain

04/26/2020 12:30PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Speaker: Kristian Bezuidenhout will present his own thoughts regarding his evening performance. Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the […]

Trio Solisti, Interview

Brain Gain

04/27/2020 12:30PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Interviewer: Zsolt Bognàr Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members with a deeper understanding […]

Angela Hewitt, Interview

Brain Gain

04/28/2020 12:30PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Interviewer: Zsolt Bognár Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members with a deeper understanding […]

Sergei Babayan, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

04/30/2020 12:30PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Speaker: Lia Jensen-Abbott, Albion College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members with a […]

Alexandre Tharaud, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

05/01/2020 12:30PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Speaker: David Abbott, Albion College. Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members with a […]

Jonathan Biss, 2002 Gilmore Young Artist, Lecture

Brain Gain

05/02/2020 2:00PM Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Beethoven the Thinker: Lecture Jonathan Biss may be the only world-renowned pianist who is, perhaps, as well known for his […]

Apollo’s Fire, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

05/05/2020 6:30PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Speaker: Zaide Pixley, Professor Emerita, Kalamazoo College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members […]

Gilmore Festival Chamber Orchestra, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

05/06/2020 6:30PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Speaker: Beau Bothwell, Kalamazoo College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members with a […]

Fred Hersch, Interview

Brain Gain

05/07/2020 2:00PM Epic Center Atrium, Kalamazoo

Interviewer: Pierre van der Westhuizen, Director, The Gilmore Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience […]

Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

05/08/2020 1:00PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Speaker: Zaide Pixley, Professor Emerita, Kalamazoo College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members […]

Festival Finale, Pre-Concert Talk

Brain Gain

05/10/2020 3:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Speaker: Zaide Pixley, Professor Emerita, Kalamazoo College Pre-concert talks and lectures are presented throughout the Festival to provide audience members […]

Chamber Music Collaborations

Trio Solisti

Chamber Music Collaborations

04/27/2020 7:30PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Fabio Bidini, piano Maria Bachmann, violin Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello Beethoven’s Ghost The “most exciting piano trio in America”, as […]

Lori Sims and Jinjoo Cho

Chamber Music Collaborations

04/28/2020 2:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Lori Sims, piano Jinjoo Cho, violin In this program dedicated to the themes of love, jealousy, and rage, Lori Sims […]

Exceptional Experiences

Renée Fleming and Evgeny Kissin

Exceptional Experiences

04/15/2020 8:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

An Iconic Collaboration Legendary soprano Renée Fleming and piano virtuoso Evgeny Kissin collaborate for a sensational, once-in-a-lifetime recital performance. The […]

Opening Night Dinner and Pablo Ziegler in Concert

Exceptional Experiences

04/22/2020 6:00PM Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Up Close and Personal with the Master of Tango Opening Dinner and Concert A delightful kickoff to the Festival, beginning […]

Jon Batiste

Exceptional Experiences

05/03/2020 7:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Jon Batiste is a musician, educator, bandleader, and television personality best known as the bandleader for The Late Show with […]

Pink Martini

Exceptional Experiences

05/08/2020 8:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Few ensembles are as wildly entertaining as this hugely talented ensemble that crosses genres of classical, jazz, and pop to […]

Family Concerts

Alpin Hong vs. The Machine

Family Concerts

04/26/2020 4:00PM Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College

This new program is a fusion of technology, music, comedy, audience interaction, and that indescribable “something” that makes an Alpin […]

Alpin Hong vs. The Machine

Family Concerts

04/29/2020 7:00PM Binda Performing Arts Center, KCC, Battle Creek

This new program is a fusion of technology, music, comedy, audience interaction, and that indescribable “something” that makes an Alpin […]

Alpin Hong vs. The Machine

Family Concerts

05/01/2020 7:00PM Plainwell Performing Arts Center

This new program is a fusion of technology, music, comedy, audience interaction, and that indescribable “something” that makes an Alpin […]

Alpin Hong and the Vicksburg High School Concert Band

Family Concerts

05/03/2020 3:00PM Vicksburg Performing Arts Center

Rhapsody in Blue Vicksburg Performing Arts Center, Vicksburg Alpin Hong performs Gershwin’s hugely popular Rhapsody in Blue with the Vicksburg […]

Film

Twelve Pianos

Film

04/22/2020 12:30PM Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre

Half Moon Bay, California. Mauro ffortissimo, an artist and musician, drags an old grand piano onto the bluffs near his […]

Alexandre Tharaud: Les Temps Dérobé

Film

04/24/2020 12:30PM Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre

The film’s title translates to “Behind the Veil,” and it provides a fresh, unnarrated glimpse into the day-to-day life of […]

The Magic Piano

Film

04/25/2020 3:00PM Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre

A delightful, family-friendly animated film that follows the adventures of Anna and Chip-Chip who use a magical, flying piano on […]

Living the Classical Life

Film

04/29/2020 12:30PM Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre

Host Zsolt Bognar is an award-winning pianist, writer, and Ted Talk presenter uniquely suited to interviewing classical musicians, as well […]

Alicia’s Hands

Film

05/01/2020 4:00PM Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre

An engrossing documentary and tribute to legendary Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha. The film includes interviews with internationally renowned artists […]

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

Misha Galant, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

04/23/2020 2:00PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Mr. Galant has won prizes at multiple important competitions, including both the 2015 Van Cliburn Junior Competition and Eastman Young […]

Misha Galant, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

04/24/2020 7:30PM First United Methodist Church, South Haven

Mr. Galant has won prizes at multiple important competitions, including both the 2015 Van Cliburn Junior Competition and Eastman Young […]

Maxim Lando, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

04/26/2020 2:00PM Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Mr. Lando’s concerts and collaborations have brought him to the international stage quickly and decisively. At the age of 14 […]

Misha Galant, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

04/26/2020 4:00PM First Congregational Church, Battle Creek

Mr. Galant has won prizes at multiple important competitions, including both the 2015 Van Cliburn Junior Competition and Eastman Young […]

Maxim Lando, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

05/01/2020 7:30PM Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall

Mr. Lando’s concerts and collaborations have brought him to the international stage quickly and decisively. At the age of 14 […]

Maxim Lando, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist

Gilmore Young Artist Recitals

05/04/2020 2:00PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Mr. Lando’s concerts and collaborations have brought him to the international stage quickly and decisively. At the age of 14 […]

Jazz

Svetlana and The Delancey Five

Jazz

04/23/2020 6:30PM Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo

Svetlana and The Delancey Five take you straight to the best party ever, seamlessly moving from sophisticated tender tones to […]

Svetlana and The Delancey Five

Jazz

04/23/2020 9:00PM Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo

Svetlana and The Delancey Five take you straight to the best party ever, seamlessly moving from sophisticated tender tones to […]

Pablo Ziegler Jazz Tango Trio

Jazz

04/24/2020 6:30PM Williams Theatre, WMU

Pablo Ziegler, piano Hector del Curto, bandoneon Claudio Ragazzi, guitar Take the nearly mathematical precision of a tango, marry it […]

Pablo Ziegler Jazz Tango Trio

Jazz

04/24/2020 9:00PM Williams Theatre, WMU

Pablo Ziegler, piano Hector del Curto, bandoneon Claudio Ragazzi, guitar Take the nearly mathematical precision of a tango, marry it […]

Aaron Diehl Trio

Jazz

04/29/2020 6:30PM Williams Theatre, WMU

Aaron Diehl, piano Paul Sikivie, bass Quincy Davis, drums Aaron Diehl is one of those artists who can do it […]

Aaron Diehl Trio

Jazz

04/29/2020 9:00PM Williams Theatre, WMU

Aaron Diehl, piano Paul Sikivie, bass Quincy Davis, drums Aaron Diehl is one of those artists who can do it […]

Sullivan Fortner Trio

Jazz

05/04/2020 12:00PM Civic Theatre Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Sullivan Fortner, piano Neal “Sugar” Caine, bass Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, drums Captivating jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner, who has performed across […]

TRI-FI

Jazz

05/04/2020 12:00PM W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek

Matthew Fries, piano Keith Hall, drums Phil Palombi, bass These three award-winning musicians have been composing, recording, and performing together […]

Emmet Cohen Trio

Jazz

05/04/2020 6:30PM Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo

Emmet Cohen, piano Russell Hall, bass Kyle Poole, drums Leading his trio with a command that belies his relative youth, […]

Emmet Cohen Trio

Jazz

05/04/2020 9:00PM Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo

Emmet Cohen, piano Russell Hall, bass Kyle Poole, drums Leading his trio with a command that belies his relative youth, […]

Sullivan Fortner Trio

Jazz

05/05/2020 12:00PM W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek

Sullivan Fortner, piano Neal “Sugar” Caine, bass Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, drums Captivating jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner, who has performed across […]

Dan Tepfer Trio

Jazz

05/05/2020 12:00PM Civic Theatre Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Dan Tepfer, piano Shawn Conley, bass Jochen Rueckert, drums Having found his way to jazz via a classical route, pianist […]

Dan Tepfer Trio

Jazz

05/06/2020 12:00PM W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek

Dan Tepfer, piano Shawn Conley, bass Jochen Rueckert, drums Having found his way to jazz via a classical route, pianist […]

TRI-FI

Jazz

05/06/2020 12:00PM Civic Theatre Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Matthew Fries, piano Keith Hall, drums Phil Palombi, bass These three award-winning musicians have been composing, recording, and performing together […]

3Divas

Jazz

05/07/2020 12:00PM Civic Theatre Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Sherrie Maricle, drums Amy Shook, bass Jackie Warren, piano This super swinging powerhouse trio plays original, traditional, and contemporary standards […]

Fox Wolf Duo

Jazz

05/07/2020 12:00PM W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek

Donal Fox, piano, composer, arranger Warren Wolf, vibraphone and marimba Two outstanding virtuosos deftly draw from jazz and classical traditions […]

Fred Hersch Trio

Jazz

05/07/2020 7:30PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Fred Hersch, piano John Hébert, bass Eric McPherson, drums A select member of jazz’s piano pantheon, Fred Hersch is a […]

Fox Wolf Duo

Jazz

05/08/2020 12:00PM Civic Theatre Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Donal Fox, piano, composer, arranger Warren Wolf, vibraphone and marimba Two outstanding virtuosos deftly draw from jazz and classical traditions […]

3Divas

Jazz

05/08/2020 12:00PM W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek

Sherrie Maricle, drums Amy Shook, bass Jackie Warren, piano This super swinging powerhouse trio plays original, traditional, and contemporary standards […]

Master Classes

Yefim Bronfman

Master Classes

04/26/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Kristian Bezuidenhout

Master Classes

04/27/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Fabio Bidini

Master Classes

04/28/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Lori Sims

Master Classes

04/29/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Aaron Diehl

Master Classes

04/30/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Eva-Maria Zimmerman & Keisuke Nakagoshi

Master Classes

05/01/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Alexandre Tharaud

Master Classes

05/02/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Matthew Fries

Master Classes

05/05/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Jeannette Sorrell

Master Classes

05/06/2020 10:00AM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Beatrice Rana

Master Classes

05/07/2020 10:00AM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist

Master Classes

05/09/2020 10:00AM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Observing a master class is a great way to gain insight into the extraordinary dedication it takes to become an […]

Musical Theater

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Musical Theater

04/24/2020 7:30PM Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo

A must-see play for any fan of the great Billie Holiday, this production re-imagines one of Lady Day’s last, heart-breaking […]

Orchestra Concerts

Grand Rapids Symphony

Orchestra Concerts

04/19/2020 6:30PM DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids

Marcelo Lehninger, conductor Orli Shaham, 1996 Gilmore Young Artist, piano Orli Shaham returns to the Festival to collaborate with Mr. […]

Jackson Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Concerts

04/25/2020 7:30PM George E. Potter Center, Jackson College

Jackson Symphony Orchestra Matthew Aubin, conductor Elliot Wuu, 2018 Gilmore Young Artist, piano Vive la France 2018 Gilmore Young Artist […]

Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Concerts

05/02/2020 7:30PM W. K. Kellogg Auditorium, Battle Creek

Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra Anne Harrigan, conductor Misha Galant, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist, piano 2020 Gilmore Young Artist Misha Galant […]

Gilmore Festival Chamber Orchestra

Orchestra Concerts

05/06/2020 7:30PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

A Celebration of Piano and Strings Musicians from the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Julian Kuerti, conductor […]

Lansing Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Concerts

05/08/2020 7:30PM Wharton Center for Performing Arts, East Lansing

Timothy Muffitt, conductor Maxim Lando, 2020 Gilmore Young Artist, piano 2020 Gilmore Young Artist Maxim Lando performs Camille Saint-Saëns’s second […]

Festival Finale | Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Concerts

05/10/2020 4:00PM Chenery Auditorium, Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Julian Kuerti, conductor Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist, piano The Festival arrives at a splendid conclusion with […]

Public Art

Oscillators - Intermedio

Public Art

05/04/2020 9:00AM Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Oscillators: An Interactive Installation Oscillators, is a public art installation featuring pendulums created from the keys of a de-constructed piano. […]

Solo Piano Recitals

Kristian Bezuidenhout

Solo Piano Recitals

04/26/2020 2:00PM Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College

Mozart’s Piano In a rare opportunity to hear classical works performed on period instruments, Mr. Bezuidenhout performs works by Mozart […]

Alexander Ullman

Solo Piano Recitals

04/27/2020 2:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Beethoven’s Joie de Vivre Mr. Ullman performs Beethoven’s virtuosic “Waldstein” Sonata, a work that is full of life, humor, and […]

Sergei Babayan

Solo Piano Recitals

04/30/2020 7:30PM Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU

The Exquisite Art of Chopin As composed by Frédéric Chopin, the mazurka – a short, simple country dance – becomes […]

Beatrice Rana

Solo Piano Recitals

05/06/2020 2:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Igor Stravinsky’s magical puppet Petrushka comes to life and death under the poetic artistry of Beatrice Rana at the conclusion […]

Uniquely Gilmore

ZOFO and Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers

Uniquely Gilmore

04/30/2020 2:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Eva-Maria Zimmerman, piano Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers Piano duet arrangements of Gustav Holst’s The Planets and other […]

Rob Schwimmer

Uniquely Gilmore

05/02/2020 4:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Heart of Hearing Mr. Schwimmer uses the piano, theremin, and an amazing contemporary instrument called the Haken Continuum to take […]

Maria João Pires & Friends

Uniquely Gilmore

05/09/2020 2:00PM Wellspring Theater, Epic Center, Kalamazoo

Portugese pianist Maria João Pires concludes a nine-day workshop held in conjunction with the Festival by presenting a special concert […]

Igudesman & Joo

Uniquely Gilmore

05/09/2020 8:00PM Kalamazoo State Theatre

Play It Again Aleksey Igudesman, violin Hyung-ki Joo, piano Two classically trained musicians – one pianist, one violinist – bring […]

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