University of Southern California

Talented students from the Strings program present an evening of unaccompanied and collaborative works, exploring the wide-ranging chamber music repertoire.

Donald Crockett leads the USC Thornton Symphony in this annual concert featuring original works by Thornton student composers.

Talented students from the Strings program present an evening of unaccompanied and collaborative works, exploring the wide-ranging chamber music repertoire.

Talented students from the Strings program present an evening of unaccompanied and collaborative works, exploring the wide-ranging chamber music repertoire.

Carl St.Clair leads the USC Thornton Symphony in the Opening Gala of the 2020 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. The performance includes Beethoven's Egmont Overture and Strauss's Don Quixote featuring acclaimed cellist Mischa Maisky and distinguished violist and Thornton faculty member Yura Lee. Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts & Humanities Initiative. Program Ludwig van Beethoven: Egmont Overture Richard Strauss: Don Quixote

An intimate forum with an eye to professional development, renowned cellist Mischa Maisky will speak to PICF Fellows and the general public about his career as a solo cellist–that now spans over 50 years–and give advice on how to generate, develop, sustain and enjoy a successful musical career.

Honoring the Festival’s namesake, a 2018 documentary film by Murray Grigor and Hamid Shams will be screened. A panel comprised of Piatigorsky’s former students (Terry King, Laurence Lesser, Mischa Maisky, Jeffrey Solow, Raphael Wallfisch) and grandson (Evan Drachman) will discuss Piatigorsky’s teaching and enduring musical influence.

A previously unpublished novel, “Mr. Blok” by Gregor Piatigorsky, introduced by his son, Joram Piatigorsky.

The Recital Gala features festival cellists performing works of Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. A pre-concert talk, presented by American cellist Jeffrey Solow, will begin at 7:30pm. Cellists: Chiara Enderle Samatanga, David Geringas, Frans Helmerson, Antonio Lysy, Mischa Maisky, Andrew Shulman, Laura van der Heijden, Quirine Viersen, and Raphael Wallfisch. Pianists: Bernadene Blaha, Jujo Pohjonen, and Robert Thies.

German cellist Maria Kliegel presents a masterclass. Central to the ethos of the Festival are the masterclasses, in which the artists/teachers work with individual cello students in a public forum. Audience members can observe their teaching and hear some of the best young cellists from around the world.

Cellist Jakob Koranyi, who has been called "a force to be reckoned with" by The Strad, and pianist Juho Pohjonen perform a duo program, featuring works by Hillborg, Lysenko and Shostakovich.

Swedish cellist Frans Helmerson presents a masterclass. Central to the ethos of the Festival are the masterclasses, in which the artists/teachers work with individual cello students in a public forum. Audience members can observe their teaching and hear some of the best young cellists from around the world.