Awadagin Pratt’s 2019 Art of the Piano Festival will pair legendary soloists with young artists from around the globe starting this weekend, May 25 through June 15 at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

The ninth annual festival will feature 15 renowned artists in recitals and conducting public master classes with rising stars. Besides Pratt, a CCM faculty member, the festival includes the return of legendary pianist Leon Fleisher, as well as Christopher O’Riley, Alexander Korsantia, Boris Berman, Jura Margulis, Maria Murawska and Vladimir Feltsman.

There are also recitals by young artists. The festival will include pre-concert gatherings with food, wine, and talks with the artists and talk-backs with the artists at the close of their concerts.

For the 35 young pianists (winnowed from 150 applicants), there will be prizes:

The Enlight Prize – A $3,000 cash prize and a recital on the Salon 21 Series is awarded to the Young Artist who most embodies the spirit of the festival, as demonstrated by the beauty and brilliance of their playing as well as their generosity of spirit.  A runner up is also selected and receives a prize of $1,500. 

Olga Kern Piano Competition – Via this new partnership, one young artist (from among the winners and honorable mentions of the Art of the Piano 2018 Enlight Prize) will be granted automatic entry to the 2019 Olga Kern Competition. Additionally, the winner of the 2019 Olga Kern Competition will automatically be admitted as a Fellow for the 2020 Art of the Piano festival.

Upcoming highlights:

Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. – Awadagin Pratt and baritone Simon Barrad perform Schubert’s Winterreise. Exclusive Schubertiade with food, wine, and great conversation following the concert.

Sunday, June 2, 4 p.m. – Leon Fleisher performs Mozart Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 414 with string quartet.  This performance includes a Q+A with the artist. Fleisher was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and turns 91 this year.

Friday, June 14, 7 p.m. — Vladimir Feltsman performs Beethoven: Bagatelles Op. 31; Chopin: Four Nocturnes and Ballade No. 4, Op. 52.

Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m. – Public Radio’s former host of From the Top Christopher O’Riley closes out the festival with Radiohead and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Special event with food, wine, and conversation before the performance.

Events are being held in Werner Recital Hall at CCM.

With an all-festival pass, $150, guests can enjoy access to all concerts and classes. $50 weekly passes are also available, as well as single tickets for $20 each. For tickets and to see the whole program, artofthepiano.org or click here.