In Person: Pianists Ken Iisaka & Esfir Ross
Wednesday, March 24, 7:30
$15 (CFI members $12)
This one-night-only special program combines a screening of the award-winning documentary They Came to Play with live performances by two of the pianists featured in the film. Directed by Alex Rotaru and produced by Lori Miller, They Came to Play is a rousing and uplifting film about the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, hosted by the Van Cliburn Foundation. Held every four years, the event attracts top amateur pianists from around the world, convening in Fort Worth, Texas for a week of music, competition and camaraderie. All of them have made their careers outside of music, but you wouldn't know it from the quality of their performances. Including commentary from Van Cliburn himself, as well as professional gold-medalists, the film features beautiful performances of masterworks, from Beethoven to Alkan and from Rachmaninoff to Barber.
This program is highlighted by live performances of two pianists appearing in the film: Ken Iisaka of Mill Valley and Esfir Ross of Oakland. They will perform on a Steinway provided courtesy of Sherman Clay & Co. (Program approximately 2 hours.)
This one-night-only special program combines a screening of the award-winning documentary They Came to Play with live performances by two of the pianists featured in the film. Directed by Alex Rotaru and produced by Lori Miller, They Came to Play is a rousing and uplifting film about the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, hosted by the Van Cliburn Foundation. Held every four years, the event attracts top amateur pianists from around the world, convening in Fort Worth, Texas for a week of music, competition and camaraderie. All of them have made their careers outside of music, but you wouldn't know it from the quality of their performances. Including commentary from Van Cliburn himself, as well as professional gold-medalists, the film features beautiful performances of masterworks, from Beethoven to Alkan and from Rachmaninoff to Barber.