Jeffrey LaDeur, Founder and Artistic Director, San Francisco International Piano Festival
It is with great pride that I welcome you to the inaugural San Francisco International Piano Festival, presented by New Piano Collective. Inspired by my colleagues, I founded NPC on the principles of artistry, collaboration, and innovation, and the belief that solo pianists thrive together. In 2016, we launched our partnership with a weekend of recitals at Old First Concerts and were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response that we received from audiences, fellow musicians, and local media. San Francisco teems with artists of all disciplines, creating a uniquely vibrant cultural scene that encourages new ideas while valuing tradition; it seemed incredible that such a place would not have a piano festival of its own.
So…. we made one.
This festival celebrates not only the endless richness and variety of the solo piano literature, instrumental and vocal chamber music, premieres and debuts, anniversaries and homages, it invites the audience to experience the ongoing dialogue among our musical family. While the artists of New Piano Collective represent six countries and over a dozen venerable institutions such as Harvard, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Academia Granados-Marshall in Barcelona, and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, we all received formative musical training at the Eastman School of Music. More than an alma mater, we share common artistic values that guide our careers as performers, educators, and entrepreneurs. In a world that is fixated on the illusion of competition and scarcity of opportunities, we are strengthened by one another’s supportive presence and creative energy.
Each salon concert will feature two pianists in repertoire of their choice that has been curated with utmost care by yours truly. These mini-recitals will be interspersed with interviews led by a third NPC artist, facilitating an engaging and approachable conversation between performers and audience. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be included in admission for several concerts and available for purchase at all events.
Our festival offers something for everyone, from mainstage concerts at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s gorgeous Concert Hall to the intimacy of the Maybeck Studio in Berkeley, from elegant salons to the irreverent and informal PianoFight cabaret club. We are honored to have the sponsorship of Steinway and will present concerts at their Walnut Creek Gallery in addition to Berkeley's Freight and Salvage, and other spectacular settings throughout the Bay Area.
Join us for a momentous start to what I believe will be a destination festival. All are welcome, and if you are new to classical music, please email me at info@sfpiano.org to discuss a special discounted ticket price.
We are grateful to you, our audience, friends, and supporters, for allowing us the privilege of bringing this glorious music to you in one of the world’s great cities. Thank you, and I look forward to welcoming you at our concerts this August!
Sincerely,
Jeffrey LaDeur
Founder and Artistic Director
San Francisco International Piano Festival
New Piano Collective