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Five things to listen for in Goyescas by Enrique Granados

Five things to listen for in Goyescas by Enrique Granados

“Goyescas” by Enrique Granados is a collection of piano pieces inspired by the paintings of Francisco Goya. The suite portrays the lives and passions of the majos, dashing folk of 18th-century Madrid who distinguished themselves by their exaggerated outfits and elaborate style in dress and manners. American Pianists Awards finalist Michael Davidman offers his thoughts on the piece to accompany his performance in this special edition of Five Things.

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"Songbird" by Maria Ioudenitch

Violinist Maria Ioudenitch's debut album, “Songbird,” is a journey through song, with a thoughtfully curated collection of arrangements, untouched renditions and songful instrumental works. Maria’s friend and musical collaborator, 2021 American Pianists Awards winner Kenny Broberg, proved the perfect partner for this acclaimed project.

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Announcing our new CEO!

Announcing our new CEO!

We are thrilled to announce that Chris Williams will step into the role of President and CEO of the American Pianists Association starting July 10, taking over for interim CEO Joanne Bennett.

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Five things to listen for in György Ligeti’s

Five things to listen for in György Ligeti’s "Musica Ricercata"

Each piece in György Ligeti’s "Musica Ricercata" is built around a specific set of pitch classes, gradually increasing in complexity. Here are Five Things to listen for in a selection of pieces performed by American Pianists Awards finalist Henry Kramer.

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Recapping the 2023 Awards

Recapping the 2023 Awards

We are filled with joy looking back on the 2023 American Pianists Awards! Caelan, Esteban, Paul, Thomas and Isaiah played brilliantly throughout the entire competition, and we are thrilled to see what comes next for each. We invite you to watch highlights from all of the performances and community engagement of the season and read coverage of Isaiah's thrilling win.

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Isaiah J. Thompson Wins 2023 American Pianists Awards

Isaiah J. Thompson Wins 2023 American Pianists Awards

Isaiah J. Thompson Wins the 2023 American Pianists Awards

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Chatting with Rio Sakairi

Chatting with Rio Sakairi

“Rio Sakairi has singlehandedly influenced New York's current jazz scene more than anyone I know," proclaims jazz pianist and 2013 MacArthur “genius" grant winner Vijay Iyer. We chatted with Rio ahead of her service on the 2023 American Pianists Awards finals jury.

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Jazz House at the American Pianists Awards

Jazz House at the American Pianists Awards

Jazz House at the American Pianists Awards

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Arranging for Jazz Orchestra

Arranging for Jazz Orchestra

Brent Wallarab, co-founder of the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, has been making custom big band arrangements for the American Pianists Awards since 2003. Go behind the scenes to learn about the process!

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Five things to listen for in Béla Bartók’s Suite, Op. 14

Five things to listen for in Béla Bartók’s Suite, Op. 14

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist, and is considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. In the first of an occasional series, we offer five things to listen for in his Suite, Op. 14.

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A Day in the Life of Isaiah J. Thompson

A Day in the Life of Isaiah J. Thompson

In the fifth episode of a series, we visit 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Isaiah J. Thompson on his 25th birthday weekend.

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A Day in the Life of Caelan Cardello

A Day in the Life of Caelan Cardello

We visit Caelan Cardello on one of his final days on campus at William Paterson University in New Jersey for the fourth installment of our series.

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Spencer Myer on Chopin's Four Impromptus

Spencer Myer on Chopin's Four Impromptus

2006 American Pianists Awards winner Spencer Myer recently recorded Frédéric Chopin's four Impromptus for Steinway Classics. Listen to him discuss why he thinks the other three Impromptus are underappreciated compared to the famous Fantaisie Impromptu and how "Chopin's music is deeply emotionally connected and communicates the human spirit."

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2022 Highlights from Past Winners

2022 Highlights from Past Winners

2022 saw a revival of the arts and a new era of artistic growth for past winners of the American Pianists Awards. Here is a look at what some of them were up to:

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A Day in the Life of Thomas Linger

A Day in the Life of Thomas Linger

In the third episode of the series, we spend A Day in the Life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Thomas Linger at home in Queens during a busy week of performing and teaching.

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Eric Zuber's The Young Chopin

Eric Zuber's The Young Chopin

American Pianists Awards laureate Eric Zuber's new album, "The Young Chopin" explores some of the composer's early works “when he was flexing his pianistic muscles." Award-winning writer, pianist, composer and lecturer Stuart Isacoff explores the repertoire.

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A Whirlwind Tour for Kenny Broberg

A Whirlwind Tour for Kenny Broberg

On break from his teaching position at Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid, 2021 American Pianists Awards winner Kenny Broberg returned to the States for a whirlwind week of music-making.

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A Day in the Life of Paul Cornish

A Day in the Life of Paul Cornish

In the second episode of our series, we spend A Day in the Life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Paul Cornish.

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A Day in the Life of Esteban Castro

A Day in the Life of Esteban Castro

Take a peek into the life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Esteban Castro though our new short documentary series, A Day in the Life.

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Living the Classical Life at the 2021 Awards

Living the Classical Life at the 2021 Awards

In a special edition of Living the Classical Life, the show travels to Indianapolis to observe the five finalists at the American Pianists Awards in summer of 2021.

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Take Five: the 2023 Awards edition

Take Five: the 2023 Awards edition

Caelan Cardello, Esteban Castro, Paul Cornish, Thomas Linger and Isaiah J. Thompson take five for some Q&A at the piano.

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Kenny Broberg's Czech Spring

Kenny Broberg's Czech Spring

What do Dvořák, a 200th anniversary and the world's worst car have in common? Kenny Broberg touring the Czech Republic!

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2023 Awards previews in NYC

2023 Awards previews in NYC

The world was treated to a preview of the 2023 American Pianists Awards last month with two special gatherings in New York City.

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Announcing new members of our board

Announcing new members of our board

American Pianists Association is thrilled to welcome new board members Hillary Egan, Christia Hicks and Deborah Hearn Smith, each of whom brings a wealth of knowledge and singular experience.

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Drew Petersen in

Drew Petersen in "Music Moves"

American Pianists Awards winner Drew Petersen joins Dance Kaleidoscope and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for Music Moves, a collaborative celebration showcasing Ravel, Bernstein, Brahms, Handel and Kilar.

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Welcome Leigh Ann Hirschman!

Welcome Leigh Ann Hirschman!

This month we welcome a new staff member at the American Pianists Association. Meet Leigh Ann Hirschman, our new Director of Advancement!

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Chatting with Michelle Cann

Chatting with Michelle Cann

Ahead of her performance for the American Pianists Association on May 15, 2022, Michelle Cann spoke with Lee Clifford about her musical education, Florence Price and her concert program:

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Talking Margaret Bonds, Michelle Cann and more with Joshua Thompson

Talking Margaret Bonds, Michelle Cann and more with Joshua Thompson

We caught up with pianist and music sociologist Joshua Thompson to talk about Margaret Bonds, Michelle Cann's upcoming concert and more.

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Cécile McLorin Salvant's

Cécile McLorin Salvant's "Ghost Song"

Amid the excitement over the announcement of the 2023 American Pianists Awards finalists, some astute observers noticed another bit of big news: three-time Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant will perform at the American Pianists Awards Gala Finals on April 22, 2023!

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Kenny Broberg Appointed at Reina Sofía School of Music

Kenny Broberg Appointed at Reina Sofía School of Music

Reina Sofía School of Music Announces Appointment of Kenny Broberg as Deputy Professor to Piano Chair Stanislav Ioudenitch starting in the 2022-2023 academic year

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Our diverse world shapes our music, the artistic language of our contestants. It delights, informs, and inspires us all. It is in this spirit that the American Pianists Association welcomes people of any race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as people with disabilities. We commit to learn from diverse talents, ideas, and voices. We pledge to create an environment for our artists, audiences, community partners, board, and staff that is based on the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Further, we commit to enacting strategic and annual plans that provide focused, measurable strategies for living out these values every day.