Yevgeny Igorevich Kissin is a Russian pianist and composer. He demonstrated his skills at the Ruhr Piano Festival in 2023, © Peter Wieler, Klavier-Festival Ruhr

Ruhr Pi­ano Fest­iv­al

The most im­port­ant pi­ano fest­iv­al in the world

A steady stream of stars en­thrals audi­ences: the Ruhr Pi­ano Fest­iv­al has be­come the largest pi­ano fest­iv­al in the world.

A spring festival of piano music that is second to none: Every year at the Ruhr Piano Festival the best pianists and most promising young artists showcase their skills on the grand piano. Since its inception in the late 1980s, the event, which is held in the Ruhr Metropolis, has become the most important of its kind the world.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to thrill audiences here is sure to return to the stage here in the years to come. International regulars at the Ruhr Piano Festival include stars like Argentina's Martha Argerich and Hélène Grimaud of France. Daniel Barenboim and Pierre-Laurent Aimard also often take a seat at the piano here. The likelihood of finding your favourite pianist amongst the illustrious group of guests at the Ruhr Piano Festival is high. Each year the programme includes up to 80 concerts.

But although the piano stands at the foreground of this music festival, it is far from the only instrument under the spotlight: trumpeters such as Till Bronner, flutists such as Emmanuel Pahud, violinists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter or even entire orchestras also appear during this multi-week event.

The venues are as diverse as the region itself: former industrial sites, such as the Zollverein World Heritage site in Essen, the small halls of the moated Herten Castle or Hohenlimburg Castle in Hagen and large concert halls, such as Konzerthaus Dortmund with its masterful acoustics, all provide inviting settings for these events. The festival is not strictly limited to the geographical boundaries of the Ruhr Area, but also makes appearances in places like Wuppertal, Düsseldorf or Rheda-Wiedenbrück as well.

Dates: 26 April to 16 June 2024

www.klavierfestival.de

Map of NRW

Images and videos

Be inspired: images of your NRW

Yevgeny Igorevich Kissin is a Russian pianist and composer. He demonstrated his skills at the Ruhr Piano Festival in 2023, © Peter Wieler, Klavier-Festival Ruhr
The Italian pianist Beatrice Rana comes from a family of musicians. The audience at the Ruhr Piano Festival celebrated her performance in 2023, © Peter Wieler, Klavier-Festival Ruhr
Jan Lisiecki achieved great fame as a classical pianist at a young age. In 2023 he performed at the Ruhr Piano Festival, © Peter Wieler, Klavier-Festival Ruhr
Jan Lisiecki has already been honored several times. He is the recipient of several prizes and awards. The audience at the piano festival also celebrated him in 2023, © Georg Lukas, Klavier-Festival Ruhr

Look­ing for something more to dis­cov­er?

Get in­spired...

The "Zeche Hannover", a former Colliery in Bochum, celebrates the ExtraSchicht., © RuhrTourismus / Kreklau

Events in NRW

Read more
Essen Kettwig, © Johannes Höhn

Es­sen

Read more
Saburo Teshigawara Broken Lights, Gebläsehalle Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, © Wonge Bergmann

Ruhrtri­en­nale

Read more