From Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to Imagine by John Lennon or simply Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, we can all play a little something on the piano. So why not celebrate one of the most popular and versatile instruments in the world with the Birmingham International Piano Festival this summer?
“An acoustic solo piano recital vivifies some of the greatest music ever written in an unmediated stream of consciousness from the hands of a single interpreter,” said Professor John Thwaites, Head of Keyboard Studies, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. “The pianist speaks directly to the hearts of his or her audience.
“This festival offers the chance to understand the preparation and artistic thought processes that inform interpretation as some of the greatest pedagogues on the planet share their secrets. It also offers the glamour and excitement of hearing the very best of the next generation of pianists.”
What is happening at the Birmingham International Piano Festival?
In a thrilling week (June 14 to 18) of competition, collaboration and artistry, a five-day celebration of the piano is to take place at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The Birmingham International Piano Festival begins with a free Community Piano Day (Sunday, June 14) filled with guest artist recitals and masterclasses, and opportunities to enjoy a 30-minute one-to-one lesson.
It also marks the start of the Birmingham International Piano Competition—when distinguished jurors will hear twenty recitals from some of the most well-known names in the younger generation of prize-winning global talents, as well as very young, newly-emergent artists. 2016 winner Domonkos Csabay also returns to give a guest recital and receive an Honorary RBC Award.
A celebrity masterclass and concert by the incomparable pianist Sir Stephen Hough, whose programme on Thursday, June 18 (7pm) includes Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata and Schumann’s Carnaval. Birmingham International Piano Festival will also feature recitals and public masterclasses by the likes of Roman Kosyakov, Daniel Browell, Karl-Heinz Simon, Andreas Frölich, Wu Chao, Xun Pan and Simon Nicholls.
Birmingham International Piano Festival is at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire from 14-18 June 2026. You can get tickets and further details here.
