Washington International Piano Festival Announces 2009 Concert Series

Some of the world’s most celebrated artists will take to the stage in the nation’s capital next week as part of the 2009 Washington International Piano Festival concert series.

The festival formally announced the 2009 slate of pianists, today, that will perform during a series of daily concerts.  This year’s performers include:

Anderson and Roe – described by The Southampton Press as “Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers transposed from the dance floor to the keyboard” this innovative duo met as freshman at The Juilliard School in 2000 and have entertained audiences across the U.S. ever since.  Their wildly creative music videos have been viewed over a million times on YouTube alone and can be seen on their interactive website, andersonroe.net.

Joseph Banowetz – not only an acclaimed pianist whose mastery has allowed him to perform on five continents but also an internationally known author whose book, The Pianist’s Guide to Pedaling, has been printed in seven languages.

Alessio Bax – since graduating with top honors from his home town conservatory in Italy at the age of 14, to winning first prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition at 19, as well as in the universally acknowledged Leeds International Competition, Mr. Bax has made appearances with over 70 orchestras across the world and performed at many festivals including London's International Piano Series (Queen Elizabeth Hall) and the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.

Milen Petroff – a French pianist and Professor of Piano at the Lyon Conservatory in France currently performing as a concerto soloist, solo performer and chamber music performer in Europe.

Ivo Kaltchev – a prizewinner of international piano competitions and a Bösendorfer Artist whose unique musical artistry has allowed him to perform in musical centers throughout the world, including Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the St. Petersburg State Philharmonic Hall among others.  Dr. Kaltchev currently serves as an Associate Professor of Piano and Chair of the Piano Division at The catholic University of America.

This year’s concerts schedule will be as follows:

Milen Petroff and Ivo Kaltchev Piano Duo – Aug 10, 2009, 6:00pm at Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage (Free admission)

Joseph Banowetz – Aug 11, 2009, 7:30pm at the Ward RecitAl Hall, Catholic University

Selected WIPF Participants’ Concert – Aug 12, 2009, 6:00pm at Kennedy’s Center Millennium Stage (Free admission)

Anderson and Roe Concert Piano Duo – Aug 13, 2009, 7:30pm at the Ward RecitAl Hall, Catholic University

Selected WIPF Participants’ Concert – Aug 14, 2009, 6:00pm at the Ward RecitAl Hall, Catholic University (Free admission)

Selected WIPF Participants’ Concert – Aug 15, 2009, 11:00pm at the Ward RecitAl Hall, Catholic University (Free admission)

Alessio Bax – Aug 15, 2009, 4:00pm at the Ward RecitAl Hall, Catholic University

All concerts are open to the community and tickets can be purchased individually for $20 at the door or by emailing washingtonpianofest@gmail.com.

WIPF is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the performance and teaching of classical music at the highest standard.  The Festival is sponsored by Jordan Kitt's Music and Yamaha.

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