For five days in June 2018 pianists young and old, professionals and students, will create untold excitement on multiple pianos – from two to 32 – uprights, grands and even professional toy pianos in private teaching studios, schools and public performance spaces, culminating with a Celebrity Recital in Elder Hall performed by acclaimed pianists LISA MOORE and SONYA LIFSCHITZ.
When asked “Why Duo Pianos?” Guild Founder and Festival Convenor, Diana Harris responded: “I’ve known Lisa Moore’s work for years, in Australia and through the media reports on her jam-packed US and international activities. She’s a bundle of excitement, a huge performer and a tremendous teacher. When Lisa told me about the success of the 2016/17 US piano duo tours with the brilliant Sonya Lifschitz, and their projected 2018 Australian tour, my immediate reaction was … there’s our 2018 Festival focus!”
For just three days – Friday June 15 to Sunday June 17 – Sonya and Lisa will join the Festival for classes at Marryatville High School, followed by the popular annual Accompanists’ Conference and finally perform their duo recital “Handwork” in Elder Hall which is presented in association with Recitals Australia as part of their 2018 Virtuosi Series. Described as “virtuosi maverick Australian-Ukrainian-American pianists” Sonya and Lisa join forces to present a powerhouse journey on two grand pianos with masterwork music, J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (arranged by Australian pianist and composer Stephen Emmerson), the world premiere of a work by a Young South Australian composer, the Adelaide premiere of Martin Bresnick’s mysteriously evocative Handwork and John Adams’ jazz-infused, rollicking Hallelujah Junction.
The 2018 Accompanists’ Festival includes a myriad of activities in private studios and public venues before Sonya and Lisa arrive. Many foster the talents of young musicians, including the Guild’s JEMS’ (Primary School Ensemble Musicians) lunch hour concert on Wednesday 13 followed by professionals playing “FOR JEMS” a concert including excerpts from Saint Saëns’ ever-popular Carnival of the Animals. Major sponsor, PianoMax, opens its doors late Thursday afternoon for a Multi Piano Spectacular featuring from two to 32 pianos and the Guild’s Young Accompanists’ Showcase – (Secondary School pianists teamed up with professional musicians) perform during the Saturday Conference.

For further general enquiries and ticketing details visit our Accompanist Festival page or please contact the Convenor diana.harris@museco.id.au.

Festival packages are now on sale at www.trybooking.com/TCLR

For further media information, interviews and media resources, please contact: Chris Wainwright, Honorary Publicist, 0438 829 728, cmwain@gmail.com

Festival of Accompanists, 13-17 June 2018 – Guest Artists: Piano Duo Lisa Moore & Sonya Lifschitz