An "Upright and Grand" Musical Start to 2016 in San Diego

Music festivals aren’t just relegated to Coachella and its clones any longer. Beginning January 8th and continuing through February 8th, the San Diego Symphony will provide music fans with the opportunity to see a wide range of artists work their magic on that most renowned of instruments: the piano. The San Diego Symphony's Upright and Grand Piano Festival is the first piano-centric festival of its kind to hit San Diego, and it’s sure to awaken the dormant Chopin in anyone who attends one of its many concerts or workshops.

The festival will open with a performance of Gershwin’s masterpiece Rhapsody in Blue by celebrated Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin. Among the other lauded pianists who will be performing throughout the month are Garrick Ohlsson (winner of the Chopin International Piano Competition) and Emanuel Ax, who has received multiple Grammy awards for his piano sonatas. And on Saturday, January 23rd, a trio of superstar pianists will pay tribute to the jazz greats Thelonius Monk, Art Tutum, and Bud Powell.

The more indie-inclined may recognize the name Ben Folds, the multi-platinum selling frontman of rock group Ben Folds Five. On both February 5th and 6th, attendees will get the rare opportunity to see him perform his 22-minute piano concerto in the capstone performance of the festival at Jacobs Music Center and the California Center for the Arts. 

If you’re not content to simply admire these masters of the craft from afar, there will be a "Hands On" Community Day on Saturday January 16th, where the Copley Symphony Hall will be open to the public for FREE with piano experts on hand to offer lessons to people of all skill levels. This is your chance to rub elbows with professionals or have a memorable outing with the family that might just inspire the youngsters to become the next Beethoven. There will be walk-up introductory classes all day beginning every 30 minutes, and a few master classes for the more advanced players. The day will culminate in an awe-inspiring "Monster Piano" performance with five majestic pianos playing the same piece at the same time. 

And take note: even if you aren’t planning on attending one of the various concerts or free workshops, pianos will be popping up in locations all across Downtown, including Horton Plaza and the Coronado Ferry Landing. Anyone who is feeling adventurous can sit down and show off their chops (or chopsticks). This "Pianos in Public Spaces" venture is part of the San Diego Symphony’s plan to get the community more involved in the arts and the process of music creation. The pianos will be lovingly decorated by locals and adorned with messages such as "Play Me" to inspire passersby.

To purchase tickets to one of the concerts and learn more, visit the San Diego Symphony ticket site.