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April 27 - 30, 2017

Liszt and the Orchestral Imagination

Dedicated to the Memory of Fernando Laires

April 27 - 30, 2017

Exchange ideas with a community of like-minded musicians.

We will explore Liszt’s considerable contributions as an orchestral composer, including his unparalleled ability to create orchestral sonorities for the piano.

Highlighted Concerts


Thursday Evening Concert

Sergei Babayan, Piano

Thursday, April 27 at 7:30pm
Galvin Hall, Ryan Center for the Musical Arts

** As of April 24th, this recital is completely sold out **

Program
  • Liszt: Ballade No. 2 in B minor
  • Vladimir Ryabov: Fantasia in C minor, Op. 21, in memory of Maria Yudina
  • J.S. Bach: from the Klavierbüchlein for Wilhelm Friedemann Bach:
    Prelude in C Major, BWV 939
    Prelude in C minor, BWV 999
    Menuet-Trio in G minor, BWV 929
    Prelude in E Major, BWV 937
    Sinfonia in E-flat Major, BWV 791
    Prelude in D minor, BWV 926
    Prelude in C-sharp Major, BWV 872
    Prelude in F Major, BWV 901
  • Chopin: Polonaise Op.26 in C-sharp minor
  • Chopin: Valse Op.64 No. 2 in C-sharp minor
  • Chopin: Barcarolle Op.60 in F-sharp major
  • Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No.12
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Friday Evening Concert

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

Friday, April 28 at 7:30pm
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Ryan Center for the Musical Arts

Victor Yampolsky, Conductor
Xuesha Hu, Piano
Yangmingtian Zhao, Piano

Program
  • ​Liszt: Legend of St. Cecilia
  • ​Liszt Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
  • ​Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
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Saturday Evening Concert

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, April 29 at 8:00pm
Symphony Center, Chicago

Riccardo Muti, Conductor
Radu Lupu, Piano

Program
  • ​Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 (Emperor)
  • ​Liszt: Dante Symphony
Click here to purchase tickets.
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Sunday Afternoon Recital

Marc-Andre Hamelin and Leif Ove Andsnes, Pianos

Sunday April 30 at 3:00pm
Symphony Center, Chicago

Program
  • ​Mozart: Larghetto and Allegro for Two Pianos
  • ​Stravinsky: Concerto for Two Pianos
  • ​Debussy: En blanc et Noir
  • ​Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
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A Word from the Festival Director

Dear Fellow Lisztians:

I look forward to welcoming you to Northwestern April 27-30, 2017 for a festival filled with great music, inspiring presentations, and cherished colleagues. The Bienen School of Music, located in its stunning new lakeside home, is proud to host this annual celebration of the ideals and philosophies of Franz Liszt. May Liszt’s artistic values and noble spirit permeate our festival and all of our musical endeavors.

James Giles, Festival Director