This Week in Piano History: The Pianist Who Could Crack a Joke
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question Victor Borge THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember the debut of The Victor Borge Show on NBC-TV on February 3, 1951. Borge’s brilliant comedic routines brought humor to the classical music concert hall in ways previously...
This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Philip Glass | January 31, 1937
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question Philip Glass THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of American composer Philip Glass, who was born on January 31, 1937. Known for his unique approach to minimalist style, Glass’ award-winning compositions continue to inspire...
This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Muzio Clementi | January 23, 1752
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question A piano manufactured by Muzio Clementi & Co. THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of pianist, composer, and piano manufacturer Muzio Clementi, who was born on January 23, 1752. Although Clementi is most well...
This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata | January 20, 1939
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question Charles Ives and Harmony Twichell Ives THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata, which American pianist John Kirkpatrick premiered on January 20, 1939. The sonata, Ives’ second piano sonata, lasts...
This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Ballet “The Nutcracker” | December 18, 1892
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question The original production of The Nutcracker, Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg,1892 THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, on December 18, 1892. Although the premiere performance of the ballet was...
The Fundamental Responsibility of Piano Teachers | Honoring Crystal Lee
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question We believe passionately that piano teachers change the world through their dedication to students and communities. Our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign shares personal tributes to document the extraordinary contributions of piano teachers. We welcome you to celebrate your teacher and...
This Week in Piano History: Death of Ignatius Sancho | December 14, 1780
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember composer (Charles) Ignatius Sancho who died on December 14, 1780. Sancho, also an abolitionist and writer, impacted eighteenth-century British literature and culture. Sancho’s life began tragically as he was born on a slave ship headed for South America....
This Week in Piano History: Premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F | December 3, 1925
Songwriter George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) at a piano. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY we celebrate the premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F on December 3, 1925 in New York’s Carnegie Hall with Gershwin at the piano. After the...
This Week in Piano History: Ignacy Jan Paderewski Resigns from Polish Prime Minister Position | November 27, 1919
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we reflect upon the resignation of Ignacy Jan Paderewski as Prime Minister of Poland on November 27,1919.1 An important pianist, composer, and statesman, Paderewski’s influence and legacy in Polish culture and early twentieth-century politics is undeniable. Paderewski through the years...
This Week in Piano History: Death of Dame Myra Hess | November 25, 1965
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Dame Myra Hess, a British pianist who died on November 25, 1965. Hess rose to fame due to her lunchtime concerts in London during World War II and later became Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1941...
This Week in Piano History: Birth of Jorge Bolet | November 15, 1914
This week, we celebrate the birth of Jorge Bolet, born on November 15, 1914 in Havana, Cuba. Bolet was a Cuban-American pianist whose impressive technical and expressive powers made him a champion of the music of Franz Liszt. Bolet began his studies with his sister...
This Week in Piano History: Happy World Piano Day!
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we are celebrating World Piano Day and the accomplishments of all pianists! The piano was invented over three hundred years ago by Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian builder. His ingenious design from 1700 used hammers inside the action of a harpsichord...
This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Mendelssohn’s G Minor Piano Concerto, October 17, 1831
Felix Mendelssohn THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 25, premiered by the composer himself on October 17, 1831 in Munich. The concerto, made famous by Clara Schumann and Franz Liszt (and later ridiculed...
This Week in Piano History: The Birth of R. Nathaniel Dett, October 11, 1882
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of composer and virtuoso pianist, R. Nathaniel Dett, who was born 140 years ago on October 11, 1882. Though born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Dett spent most of...