Chicago Duo Piano Festival: 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; Matthew Hagle and Mio Isoda-Hagle; Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem; and Xiaomin Liang and Jue He.

PROGRAM

Sonata in C Major, K. 521                                   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
   For Piano, Four Hands
     Allegro 
     Inah Chiu and Sung Mo

Saturday Night Waltz, Hoe-Down                                           Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
    From Rodeo
   Arrangement for Two Pianos by Gold and Fizdale
     Louise Chan and Susan Tang

“The Alcotts” From Sonata No. 2 for Piano     
   Concord, Massachusetts, 1840-1860
     Arrangement for Piano, Four Hands by Ralph Neiweem

Variations on “America”                                                                   Charles Ives (1874-1954)
     Arrangement for Piano Duo by Danny Holt
     Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem

Intermission

Overture to Candide                                                             Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
     Matthew Hagle and Mio Isoda-Hagle

"Tarantella" from Gazebo Dances                                                       John Corigliano (b. 1938)
    For Piano, Four Hands

La Valse                                                                                             Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
     Poème choréographique for Two Pianos
     Xiaomin Liang and Jue He

Can't attend in person? Watch the livestream.

Chicago Duo Piano Festival 2026 Concert Schedule  
Up Next...

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. 

Saturday, July 18 at 10 AM
Guest Duo Master Class: EStrella Piano Duo
 
Sunday, July 19 at 2 PM
Final Student Recital

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.