Oxford Piano Festival 2023

The Oxford Piano Festival takes place on the tranquil and scenic campus of St Hilda’s College, Oxford, located just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.

Each year, the Festival welcomes pianists and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral. Now in its 25th year, this is a great chance to get stuck into a packed schedule of both masterclasses and concerts, with a truly dazzling line-up.

2023 Oxford Piano Festival faculty:

• Christian Blackshaw
• Jeremy Denk
• Anna Fedorova
• Kirill Gerstein
• Richard Goode
• Kanneh-Mason Trio
• Yoheved Kaplinsky
• Stephen Kovacevich
• Vanessa Latarche
• Nikolai Lugansky
• Tessa Nicholson
• Marios Papadopoulos

Browse the full events list at: https://oxfordpianofestival.com/piano-festival-2023/

About the Festival

The Oxford Piano Festival’s objective is simple: to inspire, support and encourage music-making of the highest quality. Welcoming world-renowned soloists and teachers each year, the Festival provides gifted young players with a rare opportunity to work alongside and be inspired by some of the world’s finest pianists and teachers, as part of a dedicated community of artists which encourages exchange over competition.

At the heart of the Festival lies the recognition of the pianist as a multifaceted musician. The various roles of the pianist – as virtuoso, chamber musician, accompanist, conductor, academic and teacher – are all examined. As part of this holistic approach, the various international schools of piano playing are considered.

With Alfred Brendel as the Festival’s Patron, Sir András Schiff as President, and the Festival’s founder Marios Papadopoulos a renowned pianist himself, the bar is set very high in terms of quality and artistic integrity.

Previous participants at the Festival have gone on to achieve great success. Notable alumni include Alim Beisembayev (winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition 2021), Martin James Bartlett, Mark Viner, Alexander Ullman and Mishka Rushdie-Momen.

How to apply

Observers (non-playing attendees):

• Open to all. The Observer Festival Pass entitles you access to all events. Tickets will be given to you on arrival at the Festival.
• Full board accommodation available at St Hilda’s College.
• Festival Passes and accommodation can be bought at https://oxfordphil.com/shop/?_sft_product_type=piano-festival.

Participants (playing students):

• We welcome applications from advanced piano students of all nationalities born on or after 29 July 1996.
• All participants receive four public masterclasses and perform at the Participants’ Recital on 4 August. Participants are provided with a Festival Pass which offers entry to all events.
• Participants should apply through the online form at https://oxfordpianofestival.com/information-for-applicants/
• The application deadline is 28 April 2023.

Scholarships

• We want our Festival to be accessible to all, and have scholarships available to participants in need of financial assistance. Please state on the application form whether you would like to be considered for a scholarship.