Chicago Duo Piano Festival: Gala Opening Concert

Festival Co-Founders and Music Institute Piano Duo in Residence Claire Aebersold Neiweem and Ralph Neiweem kick off the Festival with performances of works by Mozart, Brahms, Liszt, and Respighi, plus the world premiere performance of “Through Time” by accomplished composer and Music Institute alumna  Maddie Stephenson. Stephenson—also an alum and past competition winner of the Chicago Duo Piano Festival and daughter of noted Chicago composer James Stephenson.

PROGRAM

Sonata in F Major, K. 497                                     Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
   for Piano, Four Hands
     Adagio – Allegro di molto
     Andante
     Allegro

The Fountains of Rome                                                          Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936)
   Arrangement for Piano, Four Hands by the Composer

Intermission

Waltzes, Op. 39                                                                         Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Through Time                                                                             Maddie Stephenson (b. 1999)
    World Premiere Performance

The Fountains of the Villa D’Este                                                   Franz Liszt ( 1811-1886)
   Arrangement for Two Pianos by Emil von Sauer

Can't attend in person?  Watch the livestream:

Chicago Duo Piano Festival 2026 Concert Schedule  
 

Up Next...

Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM  |  Faculty Extravaganza
In tribute to America 250, Music Institute piano faculty perform a program of works for piano duo primarily by American composers, including Copland, Bernstein, Ives, Corigliano, and more. Performers include Inna Chiu and Sung Mo; Louise Chan and Susan Tang; Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem; and Xiaomin Liang and Jue He.
 
Friday, July 17 at 7 PM | Guest Duo Concert: EStrella Piano Duo
The EStrella Piano Duo, comprised of Elena Doubovitskaya and Svetlana Belsky, burst onto the musical scene in 2011 with a series of concerts celebrating the great Russian masterpieces for piano duo. Since then, they have performed widely to enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim throughout the U.S., Canada, and China. Their most recent CD is In Her Own Voice, piano duos by women composers. The EStrella Duo will be performing works by Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Barber, among others.

Saturday, July 18 at 10 AM
Guest Duo Master Class: EStrella Piano Duo
Elena Doubovitskaya and Svetlana Belsky work with student participating in the Chicago Duo Piano Festival. Free and open to the public.
 
Sunday, July 19 at 2 PM
Final Student Recital
The Chicago Duo Piano Festival closes with a performance by participating students. Free and open to the public.

More about the Chicago Duo Piano Festival

This summer marks the Chicago Duo Piano Festival's 38th anniversary season. Founded in 1988 by MIC resident piano duo Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem, the mission of the festival is to foster a deeper interest in the repertoire, performance, and teaching of music for piano, four hands, and two pianos, in a fun and supportive atmosphere.

The annual Chicago Duo Piano Festival is a wonderful opportunity to meet new pianists and make new friends while building pianistic and ensemble skills. Enjoy special concerts and master classes and participate in a culminating student recital at Nichols Concert Hall.