The Iturbi Piano Festival, organized by the Diputació de València, kicks off this Tuesday with a new edition set to feature eight concerts at the Palau de la Música de València. The program will bring together prominent figures from the international piano scene alongside Spanish performers of recognized prestige.
This year, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Josep Colom, Josu de Solaun, Yulianna Avdeeva, Olivier Gardon, the Labèque sisters, Martín García García, and the Trío Z.E.N. headline the programming. The festival pays homage to the legacy of the Valencian pianist José Iturbi, blending artistic excellence, international projection, and a commitment to promoting classical music.
The Deputy of Culture, Paco Teruel, emphasized that "the Iturbi Piano Festival has established itself as a cultural benchmark for our province and for all piano enthusiasts." He added that "this year it returns with a program that once again places València on the international music map thanks to the presence of top-tier performers and a high-quality artistic proposal".
The opening night will feature French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard in an exceptional concert dedicated to the centenary of the Hungarian composer György Kurtág. The recital will take place this Tuesday at 7:30 PM.
The musical event will continue with the performance of the Trío Z.E.N. on June 17th (7:30 PM), comprising pianist Zee Zee, violinist Esther Yoo, and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan. Valencian pianist Josu de Solaun will perform on June 18th (7:30 PM) with a tribute program to José Iturbi, including the premiere of his work '21 Tientos para piano'.
On June 23rd (7:30 PM), French pianist Olivier Gardon, a laureate of prestigious competitions like the Marguerite Long and Queen Elisabeth, will perform. On June 26th (7:30 PM), pianist Josep Colom will perform Brahms' 2nd concerto with the Orquesta de València, conducted by Pablo Rus Broseta.
On June 27th (7:00 PM), it will be the turn of Yulianna Avdeeva (winner of the Chopin Competition), with a program dedicated to Frédéric Chopin and Władysław Szpilman. Sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque will celebrate their 55-year artistic career with the Valencian audience on June 28th (7:00 PM).
The concert series will conclude with Martín García García, winner of the third prize at the international Chopin competition, who on June 30th (7:30 PM) will propose a musical dialogue between the works of Chopin and Liszt. Tickets are free and can be obtained from the Palau de la Música website three days before each recital.
In addition to the main program at the Palau de la Música, the Iturbi Festival will extend its activities to various municipalities in the province through the Recital Cycle, bringing piano music to Chelva, Sollana, Ayora, Guadassuar, and the Centre Cultural La Beneficència de València with performances by finalists of the José Iturbi International Piano Competition.
Ruggiero Fiorella will offer recitals in Chelva (September 18th, 7:30 PM), at the Centre Cultural La Beneficència de València (September 19th, 7:00 PM), and in Sollana (September 20th, 7:00 PM). Uladzislau Khandohi will perform in Ayora (September 24th, 8:00 PM), Guadassuar (September 25th, 9:00 PM), and at the Centre Cultural La Beneficència de València (September 26th, 7:00 PM).
