Newcastle Piano Festival

Festival 2023 artist Ìeva Dubova - Pianist and composer is performing a unique and unforgettable concert in a tunnel! Get your tickets now 🎶🎹

🎶 Join Me for a Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi at the Historic Victoria Tunnel! 🎶

On 14th September at 7pm, experience an intimate evening of music as I perform a tribute to the renowned composer Ludovico Einaudi, featuring pieces from his latest album, Underwater.

Set in the atmospheric Victoria Tunnel, this unique event offers an unforgettable musical journey through Einaudi’s evocative soundscapes, all in a venue like no other.

🎟️ Tickets are extremely limited—only 50 spaces available! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special night.

Secure your spot now: https://tickets.ouseburntrust.org.uk/event/23544/performance/107445

How exciting! The Piano on Channel 4 is coming to Newcastle 🎹

Do you or someone you know love playing the piano? They want to hear from you! 🤩

Find out more and apply below 👇



https://bit.ly/3VUkTyr

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear the absolutely fantastic Erik and Miko live in the UK this Friday at our fundraising event. 🎶🎹🎻🎶

For tickets and more info follow:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/benefit-gala-for-newcastle-piano-festival-tickets-861489366887

We can’t wait to see you 🥰🤩

https://youtu.be/HKx6wD5Ws7g?si=m47xOIR7y4Gpg7vg

Balakirev Romance Romance by Mili Balakirev, performed by the Murasaki Duo. Eric Kutz, cello; Miko Kominami, piano. Recorded March 16, 2014.

🎼🎹COMPETITON TIME🎹🎼

We have teamed up with Living North Magazine and are giving one lucky reader not one but TWO VIP TICKETS to our Benefit Gala on the 31st May🤩

Follow the link below to find out more about our fundraising event and details of the competition.

Entering couldn’t be easier just be sure to do it before the closing date on the 19th May 🤠

We can’t wait to see you there ❤️🎵❤️

Win Two VIP Tickets for Newcastle Piano Festival's Benefit Gala All proceeds from the gala will go towards their new community program which is designed to empower children and give more opportunities to the younger generation of the North East.

A decade of Semibreve in pictures! Help us continue our work by attending our Benefit Gala!

🎶 Getting excited about this once in a blue moon opportunity for us to hear Cello and Piano Murasaki Duo in support of the 2025 Newcastle Piano Festival Community Programme

⏰ Can’t make the date? Not to worry, you can still contribute!

🎭 Want to be more involved? We welcome sponsorship of any kind, please get in touch to see how we can help promote your cultural philanthropy!

🫶 Want to volunteer? We are always happy to hear from people who would like to volunteer. This could be helping to drop off flyers and posters, setting up and taking down for events, pouring drinks on the bar and being the box office!

Benefit Gala for Newcastle Piano Festival Newcastle Piano Fest Benefit Gala, feat. internationally acclaimed Murasaki Piano & Cello Duo. Support the 2025 Festival Community Programme

Happy birthday to trailblazing suffragette composer and conductor, Ethel Smyth.

We couldn’t agree more Nicola Benedetti. Help us give the younger generation of the North East more opportunities by opening the door into classical music. All (yes ALL) of the money raised at our Benefit Gala for Newcastle Piano Festival will help us achieve this. Get your tickets now 🤩❤️🎼🎹🚸📚

Star violinist Nicola Benedetti, on the importance of music educators. ❤️

Which composer are you? 🫵

Take the fun, Newcastle Piano Festival, quiz to find out which composer best matches your personality 🧑🏻‍🎨🕵️‍♂️🫅🦹‍♀️🧑‍✈️🧙‍♀️ and give some stars (click below) to support our 2025 festival community programme 🙏 🌟 Benefit Gala for Newcastle Piano Festival

A. Are you rebellious, stubborn and eccentric? Do you like hiking and adventures?
You are Ethel Smyth!

Ethel Smyth, the rebellious composer extraordinaire, was like the Beyoncé of her time, but with a touch of Mozart's mischievousness and a dash of Beethoven's stubbornness. This musical maverick once conducted her own opera from a prison window using a toothbrush as a baton, much to the confusion of the guards who thought she was just really passionate about oral hygiene. Legend has it that she wrote her compositions with one hand while fencing with the other, proving that creativity knows no bounds, especially when accompanied by a sword fight. Despite her penchant for drama, Ethel Smyth's music was as vibrant and audacious as her personality, leaving audiences both entertained and slightly bewildered by her eccentric charm.

B. Not afraid to ask for a pay rise? Surrounded by sculptors?
You are Louise Farrenc!

Louise Farrenc, the musical virtuoso and unsung hero of the romantic era. While she may not have conducted orchestras with baguettes or balanced croissants on her nose, her compositions exuded a delightful charm that could bring a smile to even the sternest of faces. Farrenc's music was as elegant as her demeanour, with intricate melodies and harmonies that danced through the air like a graceful ballerina. And though she may not have cracked jokes in her sonatas, her playful spirit and keen sense of humour undoubtedly found their way into her compositions, adding a touch of whimsy to the romantic repertoire. So here's to Louise Farrenc who was a trailblazer for equal pay in the 1800s!

C. Do you have a wild imagination and enjoy making secret codes and doing the cryptic crossword?
You are Hildegard Von Bingen!

Hildegard von Bingen, the medieval maverick with a dash of mystic mojo, was like the Taylor Swift of the Middle Ages, but with a penchant for potions and prophecies. Picture her rocking out in her convent, composing Gregorian chants like a boss while simultaneously brewing herbal remedies and scribbling down divine visions like they were the latest medieval memes. Legend has it she once cured a cold with a single verse and predicted the invention of the printing press while whipping up a batch of her famous herbal tonic. With her visionary music and mystical musings, Hildegard von Bingen wasn't just a composer; she was a one-woman Renaissance (or, well, a one-woman Middle Ages) who showed the world that creativity knows no bounds, whether you're a nun or a knight in shining armour.

D. Unlucky in love? Black sheep of the family?
You are Germaine Tailleferre!

The French composer, was a force to be reckoned with in the male-dominated world of classical music. The only female member of ‘Les Six”, she effortlessly blended neoclassical style with modernist flair, creating compositions that were as delightful as a freshly baked croissant.

E. Do you love cats and dogs? Are you a fan of the monarchy?
You are Cécile Chaminade!

A French composer, charmed audiences with her elegant melodies and sophisticated harmonies. She was like the Marie Antoinette of music, reigning over salon culture with grace and poise. In 1913, she was awarded the Légion d'Honneur, a first for a female composer! Queen Victoria was known to enjoy Chaminade's music and in 1901 at her funeral, the Prélude for organ, Op.78, by Chaminade was played.

F. Do you enjoy a lavish lifestyle and reading books?
You are Florence Price!

An African-American composer, brought up in a wealthy family, broke barriers with her powerful symphonies and soulful melodies. Price was the first African-American woman to have a composition performed by a major symphony orchestra when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed her Symphony in E Minor in 1933.She often used African-American spirituals and folk melodies in her compositions, blending classical European forms with elements of her cultural heritage.


G. Are you always plagued by ailments? Bit of a mum’s pet?
You are Lili Boulanger!

A prodigious French composer, a musical wunderkind, whose compositions sparkled with brilliance. She was like the Mozart of her time, composing masterpieces before most people learn to tie their shoes! Boulanger won the prestigious Prix de Rome composition prize in 1913, becoming the first woman to do so. This achievement solidified her status as one of the most promising composers of her time.Despite struggling with health issues throughout her life, Boulanger composed a significant body of work, including choral music, chamber music, and orchestral pieces.

H. Are you a fan of birdwatching? Do you experience life in colour?
You are Amy Beach!

American composer, captured hearts with her romantic compositions and virtuosic piano performances. She was the Attenborough of classical music, commanding the stage with confidence and talent. Exploring birdsong in her compositions, Beach was a child prodigy who began composing music at the age of four and gave her first public piano performance at age seven. She was the first American woman to compose a symphony, her "Gaelic Symphony," which premiered in 1896 and was the youngest member of the”The Boston six”.

I. Do people always come to you for advice? Take credit for your work?
You are F***y Mendelssohn!

The German composer, was a musical genius overshadowed by her famous brother, Felix. Yet, her compositions shone brightly like hidden gems waiting to be discovered, proving that behind every great man, there's an even greater woman. F***y Mendelssohn's musical talent was evident from a young age, but societal expectations of women at the time prevented her from pursuing a professional career as a composer. Despite this, she continued to compose prolifically, with over 460 compositions to her name, many of which were published under her brother Felix's name or remained unpublished during her lifetime.

Newcastle Piano Festival https://linktr.ee/nclpiano

We love the black and white version of the new logo even more than the navy version! Howay the lads and lasses! 🎹🎶🎵

Super happy with our brand spanking new logo 🤩

🖤🎶🎹 HAPPY WORLD PIANO DAY 🎹🎶🖤

The past few months have been very busy as Annie and I plan the second edition of our Newcastle Piano Festival which will be returning to Jesmond in March 2025.

Community is extremely important to us and we have therefore decided that every year we will focus on a specific audience group and create a program catered to support and inspire these people.

Last years inaugural festival focussed on empowering women in the arts industry and I’m sure everyone who attended the festival agrees we did not disappoint presenting a fantastic roster of incredibly talented females.

We are so excited to announce that our focus for the next festival is supporting the youth of the North East. We have carefully designed a selection of events with the hope to inspire young children to learn the instrument and to give guidance and opportunities to young musicians who are interested in having a career in music.

We can’t wait to share more details in the coming months but until then here is a gorgeous picture of our youngest participant from last years festival proving how much joy one can get from the piano regardless of age and ability!