Back for its 31st Year: Singapore’s International Piano Festival
26 June @ 8:00 am - 29 June @ 5:00 pm
The 31st edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival (SIPF), presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), will feature recitals, masterclasses and a lecture recital by four outstanding pianists.
The festival opens with Singapore-born virtuoso Kate Liu (26 June), best known for winning the Bronze Medal, Best Mazurka Prize, and audience favourite prize at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition. Witness the poetic fluidity of her artistry as she performs pieces by Mozart, Brahms and Chopin.
She is followed by multi-award-winning Japanese pianist Kyoko Hashimoto (27 June), who presents a fascinating programme traversing two centuries of mesmerising piano flair, including music by Messiaen, Scriabin, Debussy and more. She will also be conducting a masterclass the next day, on 28 June.
Third on the lineup is distinguished UK pianist Paul Lewis, who takes the stage for a recital (28 June) and masterclass (29 June). Pianophiles aware of Lewis’s famed interpretations of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas would be pleased to know that he will be performing Nos. 5 and 32, together with other music by Larcher and Brahms.
American pianist Robert Levin concludes the festival, with a recital (29 June) and a lecture recital (28 June) hosted by Lim Yan, SIPF’s Artistic Director. He showcases a unique all-Mozart programme – with a twist. The recital will offer a glimpse into how a late 18th century recital is programmed, with pieces connected from one to another through key changes. To up the game, Levin will invite the audience to submit themes during the concert, with which he will improvise upon.