College of Charleston International Piano Series

Bringing world-class artists to Charleston’s center stage

Our International Piano Series (IPS) is Charleston's longest running, seasonlong program with a pure focus on piano. IPS plays a distinctive role in the lives of students and the community by implementing excellence in the arts and education and cultivating piano music appreciation. Learn more


2023-2024 SEASON at Sottile Theatre   

International Steinway artist Joseph Rackers opens the 33rd season of the College of Charleston International Piano Series. His recordings as soloist, collaborative pianist and producer are available on MSR Classics, Navona, Centaur, Equilibrium, Beauport Classics and Steinway Spirio, and his performances have been broadcast on radio and television across the United States and Europe. He is currently the professor of piano at the Eastman School of Music, cofounder of the Southeastern Piano Festival and artistic director of the Vivace Music Foundation. He has performed for enthusiastic audiences in New York, Boston, Chicago, Kiev, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Seoul and Washington, D.C., at venues across Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Bulgaria, Ukraine and extensively throughout the United States. This concert is generously sponsored by the Remington Master Artist Series.

 

Renowned artist Eunmi Ko performs for the 33rd season of the College of Charleston International Piano Series. Hailed as “exceedingly interesting” (New York Concert Review) and “kaleidoscopic” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Ko concertizes as a recitalist and chamber musician throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. As a sought-after collaborator and champion of new music, she works with contemporary composers, ensembles and performers from around the world. Ko is the cofounder and president of the Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP). She teaches at the University of South Florida as an associate professor of piano. Praised for original interpretations, abundance of piano technique, and interesting programming, she performs a wide range of piano repertoire, from premieres of new works by living composers to the traditional and rarely played piano works

Accomplished musician Jeffrey LaDeur performs for the 33rd season of the College of Charleston International Piano Series. He is known for his rare blend of insight, spontaneity and approachable, communicative stage presence. Clic Musique Magazine (France) lauded: “an irreproachable legato, a beautiful palette of nuances, and an always well-balanced sound.” Having inherited a rich tradition of pianism and interpretation from Annie Sherter, student of Vlado Perlemuter and Alfred Cortot, LaDeur has established himself as a compelling exponent of classic and new repertoire. In March 2018, LaDeur made his solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall on the centennial of Claude Debussy’s death. He appears regularly with orchestras and maintains a repertoire of over 40 concerti. LaDeur is the founder and artistic director of the San Francisco International Piano Festival and president of the American Liszt Society, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

Renowned musician Petronel Malan performs the season finale of the College of Charleston International Piano Series. "Formidable…dizzying…magical”: These words from New York reviewer Harris Goldsmith vividly illustrate Malan’s uniquely captivating style. Indeed, as a multiple Grammy® nominee and gold medalist of several international piano competitions, she continues to enthrall audiences worldwide. Lauded by reviewers as an unmistakably creative force in the classical music industry, Malan's critical acclaim culminated in the nomination of three Grammy Awards, including Best Instrumental Solo Album for her debut disc Transfigured Bach. She maintains a full performance schedule as recitalist, orchestral soloist and chamber musician in major venues throughout the world. After her European debut in Rome, further highlights have included Carnegie Recital Hall, Théâtre du Châtelet & Salle Cortot (Paris), Mozarteum (Salzburg), Liszt Museum (Budapest), Orchestra Hall (Chicago), Alte Handelsbörse (Leipzig) and Bass Hall (Fort Worth), as well as the Ravinia, Gilmore & Music in the Mountain Festivals.