Pianofest in the Hamptons Announces 30th Anniversary Season
Pianofest in the Hamptons is one of the premiere summertime classical music festivals celebrating its 30th anniversary, June 18 - August 13, 2018.
Founded by Paul Schenly, Pianofest began as a creative vision—a community of pianists and piano-lovers surrounded by nature's wonder of the East End.
Each summer since 1988, highly-gifted pianists from major conservatories continue to travel to the Hamptons to study with luminaries in the piano world. Practice sessions and master classes take place in a classic Hamptons’ manse where eight grand pianos are actively used – including one in the kitchen!
Nearly 500 pianists have passed through the festival-school within its 30-year history including Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Sergei Babayan and sensational Steinway Artists Anderson & Roe Piano Duo.
This summer, Pianofest will highlight its current roster of 24 brilliant artists in-concert throughout Southampton and East Hampton venues.
The concerts feature curated evenings of world-class music and an opportunity to meet-and-mingle with Hamptons' society during post-concert receptions.
SOUTHAMPTON CONCERTS
Levitas Center for the Arts
Southampton Cultural Center
25 Pond Lane
- Monday, June 25, 6 PM (Season Opening)
Avram Theater, Southampton
239 Montauk Highway
All concerts begin at 6 PM.
- Monday, July 2
- Monday, July 9
- Monday, July 16
- Monday, July 23
- Monday, July 30
- Monday, August 6
- Monday, August 13
EAST HAMPTON CONCERTS
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
18 James Lane, East Hampton
All concerts begin at 6 PM.
- Wednesday, June 27
- Wednesday, July 11
- Wednesday, July 25
- Wednesday, August 8
All tickets are $20 per person at the door only. Students free. No reservations needed. All concerts are followed by receptions to meet the artists and mingle with Hamptons' society. For further information please call 631-329-9115. Learn more at pianofest.com.
About Pianofest in the Hamptons
Pianofest is a summer festival-school that offers exceptionally concentrated study to a small group of pianists selected by audition. Weekly evening concerts featuring these emerging artists occur at different venues in the Hamptons, June – August.
The teaching at Pianofest stresses an ethic based on support rather than competition. In addition to emphasizing the solo repertoire, students accompany each other in concertos and explore the duo piano literature. Pianofest also offers an opportunity for pianists to nurture their own friendships, performance opportunities, and contacts with the residents of the community. The Hamptons attract visitors from around the world, while local residents include renowned authors, artists and musicians.
Many Pianofest participants are engaged to perform at Hampton music festivals and other local venues, such as the Southampton Cultural Center, the Montauk Library, The Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival and others.
Pianofest offers daily lessons and pianists attend the lessons of their colleagues. Also, they participate in weekly public master classes. Lessons and master classes are conducted by Pianofest’s Director, Paul Schenly, and guest artists, such as Jerome Lowenthal, Sergei Babayan, Yefim Bronfman, Andre Watts, Richard Goode, Anton Nel, Claude Frank, Arie Vardi, Melvin Chen, Yoheved Kaplinsky, John O’Connor, and Pavel Nersessian, all of whom participated in the past. Many students have appeared in performance on television. Students also perform in private homes.
Pianofest's story began 30 years ago as a creative vision—that of a community of pianists and piano-lovers surrounded by nature's wonder of the East End. The inspiration was Paul Schenly's.