How do you think the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts differs from other programs? The obvious thing is that it is on the Amalfi Coast, in a beautiful resort town with so many Italians and not a bunch of tourists. There are a lot of festivals in Italy and throughout Europe, but often times there you will have so many tourists from America. If you’re studying in America and you see and hear fellow countrymen, I mean that’s okay, but at this festival we have a lot of international stu

On Saturday, July 23rd, the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival will present renowned pianist Paul Barnes in concert at the historic Convento di San Francesco in Tramonti, Italy, in a recital dedicated to the contemporary minimalist composer Philip Glass. The solo recital is planned as a retrospective tribute to the two artists’ two decades long relationship. The event also honors Glass’s upcoming 80th birthday. The concert program will feature repertoire that progresses ch

by Jeannette Fang We are thrilled to welcome the international powerhouse of Boris Slutsky to the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Piano Program. Professor Slutsky is currently the chair of the Peabody Conservatory’s Piano department, where he has taught since 1993. His activities as a performer, teacher, and adjudicator are in high demand, as evidenced by his packed summer itinerary, which involves judging at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and teaching and p

by Hyae-jin Hwang On Sunday afternoon at the Reginna Auditorium in Maiori, the audience was treated to the third concert in the Young Artist Series. Bit Nal Choi opened the recital with an energetic performance of Chopin’s Fantasia in F minor, Op. 49, full of color and character. She maintained an unerring sense of direction and clarity throughout, phrasing beautifully in this long and difficult work. An expressive pianist with a warm and inviting sound, she conveyed the p

by Jeannette Fang In the spirit of active generosity, the directors of the Amalfi Coast Music Festival came up with the creative idea of having Pedagogy Sessions, a sort of workshopping of ideas to introduce to the Hotchkiss kids into the mind of a teacher. As Thomas Mastroianni introduced it, students would get a chance to know how teachers thought, why they did and said certain things, and what they believed was the most effective way to reach and benefit a student. St

by Josh Wright The second Young Artist Concert was a treat for those in attendance at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, highlighting three of the world's best and brightest young students. Starting off the concert was Elliot Wuu, whose crystalline technique and polished finesse may have left his older colleagues feeling the urge to hit the practice room hard the next day. His performance was charming, to say the least, and never overstated. He serves the music, and in his humi

by Josh Wright Set atop a hill in a beautiful Abbey with long, curved hallways and an intimate recital room, the first Young Artists' Concert portrayed the incredible potential and skill of the students here at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival. Starting off the concert was Hyae-jin Hwan, playing two movements from Ravel's Miroirs. The ethereal "Oiseaux triste" was longing, atmospheric, and painted the perfect picture of distant bird calls. In contrast, Hwan's performance of "A

by Jeannette Fang The avuncular John Perry began his masterclass with the task of humorously trying to locate his performers, setting up an easy interaction that was friendly and entertaining. Sophia Pileggi was the first to play, delivering with poise Bach’s Toccata in e minor. Perry talked about the appropriate Baroque touch to use, advising against using a Romantic sound or using “winsome endings” that would be anachronistic. What he said was helpful for all of us, suc

by Kyoo Hye Lim In the heart of the beautiful city of Maiori, Daniel Shapiro, Professor of Piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music, taught a masterclass to three eager pianists from the Amalfi Coast Festival. Yuiko Ohaka opened the masterclass with the majestic C minor Toccata by J.S Bach. Her performance demonstrated the kind of keen intelligence and sensitivity so crucial to presenting such a tour de force with conviction. Professor Shapiro’s guidance on harmonic struc

by Moon Kyoung Kim Professor Ick Choo Moon, one of the famous pianists and piano teachers in South Korea, gave a very insightful master class for three talented young pianists on July 4th at the Reginna Auditorium in Maiori, Italy. He engaged all in attendance with his mature musicianship and delicate lyricism. The first student, Monica Han, performed Haydn Sonata C major Hob. XVI 50 1st movement with a clear sense of tone and impressive dexterity. Prof. Moon suggested to