The health and safety of the Pianofest Family — students, staff, teachers, trustees, community partners, and the members of our audience — is our highest priority. COVID-19 is impacting all of us in unprecedented ways, and we share a deep concern for the individuals and communities grappling with its effects. Given this rapidly changing environment, we decided to cancel our 2020 summer season. This was a heart-breaking but necessary decision. Nevertheless, we were confident it was the right thing to do for the general good.

This newsletter comes with some new treats enclosed. In the past newsletters we have provided video highlights of archived performances. This time we have been given the opportunity to show you some newly recorded music. This consists of a recital very creatively recorded by two popular Pianofest alumni, sister and brother, Maddalena and Jacopo Giacopuzzi.

I came across an article I wrote in 1996 that had to do with musical conceptions and performances that did not include the physical presence of an audience. One inspiration for this article was a poem by Robert Browning, a portion of which reads:

Greetings to you, with optimistic hopes for your health and outlook. As the days grow warmer as summer deepens, we of course miss the excitement we all feel as we anticipate the new Pianofest season, with great concerts, new participants from around the world, and a season of musical illumination, learning, and gatherings in the beautiful Hamptons.