Maria João Pires launches new online piano lessons
Following her recent decision to step back from the concert stage after a minor stroke earlier this year, Maria João Pires is returning to musical activity through teaching. The celebrated Portuguese pianist has announced that she will once again offer online piano lessons, open to students aged six and older.
In a statement on her official website, Pires described teaching as “a form of dialogue through music, a ‘give and receive,’ an exchange of impressions, a shared learning in the art of listening, a quest for balance… Ultimately, it’s an inner work that will most definitely bring us clearer awareness.”
Lessons are offered in English, French, German, Portuguese, and basic Spanish, with a duration of 80 minutes (or 45 minutes for younger students). Places are limited and can be booked via her official website.
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AUGUST 8, 2025
Grigory Sokolov honoured with Salzburg Festival Ruby Brooch
Pianist Grigory Sokolov has been awarded the Golden Festival Brooch with Rubies by Salzburg Festival Artistic Director Markus Hinterhäuser, recognising him as “one of the great pianists of our times” and an essential Festival artist.
Born in Leningrad in 1950, Sokolov achieved international attention in 1966 when, at the age of 16, he won the gold medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. He made his Salzburg Festival debut in 2001 and has since returned regularly, performing a repertoire ranging from early music to key works of the 20th century.
The Ruby Festival Brooch has previously been presented to artists including Riccardo Muti, Christa Ludwig, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim, and András Schiff.
Sokolov is playing in this edition of the Festival at the Großes Festspielhaus.
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AUGUST 4, 2025
Adriaan Fuchs to lead the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) has announced the appointment of Adriaan Fuchs as its next CEO and Artistic Director, effective from December 2025. The news was shared by Derek Auret, chairman of the CPO board.
Fuchs, 43, will return to Cape Town after nearly a decade as Director of Festivals and Special Projects at Carnegie Hall in New York. He succeeds Louis Heyneman, who will retire at the end of the year after 25 years at the helm.
In a statement, Fuchs described his new role as “an immense honor,” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the organization’s future. He praised Heyneman’s leadership and emphasized his commitment to building “a thriving, dynamic, and inclusive organization” that highlights “the very best music and musicians from across South Africa and the world.”
With over 20 years of experience in artistic and strategic planning, fundraising, and marketing, Fuchs has worked with international ensembles such as the Vienna Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra. He holds an MBA (with distinction) from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, and both an MPhil in Music Technology and BMus, cum laude, from Stellenbosch University.
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AUGUST 4, 2025
Three new musicians join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has announced the appointment of three new members: Abigail Kent as Principal Harp, Ha Young Jung as Principal Bass, and Andrew Eng as Viola.
Abigail Kent comes to the BSO from the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, where they served as Principal Harp. Kent was also a Harp Fellow with the New World Symphony.
Ha Young Jung previously held the position of Principal Bass at the New Jersey Symphony and has appeared with the New York Philharmonic and other major ensembles.
Andrew Eng joins the viola section following a one-year role with the National Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Washington National Opera. He was formerly a member of the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
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AUGUST 1, 2025
Cecilia Bartoli to remain Artistic Director of Salzburg Whitsun Festival through 2031
Cecilia Bartoli has extended her contract as Artistic Director of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival until 2031. The announcement was made on 31 July, just before the premiere of Hotel Metamorphosis, the latest production under her direction. Bartoli has led the Whitsun Festival since 2012, curating more than 15 opera productions and over 60 concerts, ballets, exhibitions, and readings.
Markus Hinterhäuser, Artistic Director of the Salzburg Festival, praised Bartoli’s “conceptual farsightedness” and “unfailing instinct for musical and dramaturgical quality.” This is her third contract renewal, following extensions in 2014 and 2020.
Each edition of the Whitsun Festival has been shaped around a thematic concept, with staged works including Giulio Cesare, Norma, Ariodante, West Side Story, and La clemenza di Tito. The 2025 edition, titled Sounds of the Serenissima, features Hotel Metamorphosis with music by Vivaldi.
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