23 March 2017
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Sokolov
Sokolov, Sergey Babayan, Jan Lisiecki and more top pianists come to Valletta, 12-20 April 2017
Sokolov, Jan Lisiecki and more great musicians to perform in Valletta, 12-20 April
at the Malta International Music Festival 12-30 April 2017
This year, the European Foundation for Support of Culture is preparing a major event: The Malta International Music Festival will give a wake-up kiss to Valletta and turn the Maltese capital into a pulsating city of music from 12-30 April.
Some of the most prestigious pianists of our times – Grigory Sokolov, Jan Lisiecki and Andrey Gugnin (pictured left to right) – will finally have their Maltese debut.
But the Malta International Music Festival has much more to offer than only spectacular concerts. A prestigious series of masterclasses with renowned teachers such as Dmitri Bashkirov, Lev Natochenny and Pavel Gililov will focus on the talented pianists of tomorrow and give the audience the opportunity of sharing the unique experience of young talents learning from the best.
With its own Piano Competition, with four different age categories, and a total prize fund of 60.000 Euros, the Malta International Music Festival is aiming to establish itself among the most important competitions worldwide.
The Competition jury comprises Michalis Economou, Henri Sigfridsson, Fali Pavri, Noriko Ogawa and Paolo Baglieri.
Last but not least, the Malta International Music Festival will focus on the rich diversity of Maltese music and present contemporary Maltese composers, thus making a sustainable contribution to strengthening the cultural profile of Valletta, European Capital of Culture 2018.
The Festival will take place during Easter, when the whole Republic of Malta, and especially the Maltese capital Valletta, is celebrating one of its most important festivities with passion and devotion to its millenary roots and culture. So Valletta will be twice worth a visit when the Malta International Music Festival invites the world to feel the music in Malta!
Watch Sokolov in action here:
A bit about the history of the Festival
The Malta International Music Festival was founded in 2011 by the European Foundation for Support of Culture. Since then, the annually-organized festival has established itself as one of the most important cultural events in Malta, combining exceptional concert events with masterclasses and competitions in all branches of instrumental music. The young talents have the opportunity to study with internationally renowned professors, are allowed to get in touch with international stars during the concerts of the festival and, finally, are able to showcase their talents during own concerts and participate at the competitions. And of course, participants and visitors also get to know the unique and fascinate Maltese culture, sights and landscapes.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Masterclasses 12-20 April
Professors:
Pavel Gililov (Germany)
Yoheved Kaplinsky (USA)
Demitrij Bashkirov (Russia)
Lev Natochenny (Germany)
Valerij Pjasecky (Russia)
Piano Competition 20-28 April
Group A: under 10 years
Group B: 10 to 13 years
Group C: 14 to 17 years
Group D: 18 to 35 years
First round 21-24 April
Final rounds 25-27 April
Gala concert of winners at Robert Samut Hall 28 April
Festival highlights for piano lovers:
21 April: Sergey Babayan piano recital
22 April: Jan Lisiecki plays Khachaturian Piano Concerto with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Constantine Orbelian
27 April: Andrey Gugnin piano recital
29 April: Grigory Sokolov piano recital
30 April: Closing Gala Concert
Plus many chamber concerts featuring the piano!