Porto PianoFest sixth edition brings international artists to different venues in the city

Porto PianoFest 6th edition kicked off yesterday and will run until 8 August, with concerts in several spaces in town. A programme novelty this year is the artistic residencies for musicians. “Vem ouvir pianistas de topo”, which translates as “Come listen top-level pianists” (free translation] is the motto for this edition of Porto PianoFest, an event that gathers internationally recognised pianists in town, who will offer concerts and masterclasses.

The programme started with the cycle “Grandes Mestres”, which featured the Russian pianist Alexander Kobrin. Today, 2 August, the programme continues at 7.30 pm with José Ramón Mendez, who will play at the Porto Music Conservatory.

Tuesday, 3 August, brings a show that is included in the cycle “Artes em Diálogo: o piano de Mariel Mayz” and the digital art by Taylor Baldwin, at the Rectory of the University of Porto.

Porto PianoFest also makes an out-of-town travel to Vila Nova de Famalicão, on 4 August, for a piano recital at the Cupertino de Miranda Foundation, at 7.30 pm.

Piano recitals and the cycle of Artistic Residencies move to the World of Wine, in the neighbouring municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, from Thursday to Saturday, with two presentations – 6.30 pm and 8 pm.

The closing of the festival will happen at the Palácio da Bolsa, on Sunday, on 8 August, at 7.30 pm. Nuno Marques, the artistic director of Porto PianoFest, will interpret pieces by Bach and Liszt.

The event is coproduced by Porto City Hall, and this 2021 will present the novelty of introducing artistic residencies, a retreat for top musicians so that they can prepare, study and present their work to the public.

The participation guarantees artists a solo recital in an auditorium in Porto.A study room, with an available piano at the Porto Conservatory, sessions with guest professors, and also the recording of the solo concert.

Porto PianoFest was founded in 2016 and its mains goal is to bring to the city of Porto the crème de la crème of renowned pianist and young talented musicians.

For more information, consult the website.