ClaviCologne 2026 Marks Rousing Conclusion in Chieti with Final Concert and Diploma Ceremony

The 13th edition of the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival came to a memorable close on Saturday 8th August, marking the final day of an intensive week of masterclasses, concerts, and workshops in Pescara and Chieti.

The 13th edition of the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival came to a memorable close on Saturday 8th August, marking the final day of an intensive week of masterclasses, concerts, and workshops in Pescara and Chieti.

Led by President Konstantin Ishkhanov and Artistic Director Giuliano Mazzoccante, ClaviCologne 2026 continued the festival’s long-standing mission to support the next generation of pianists through world-class teaching, professional insight, and a rich community of musical exchange, bringing together talented young pianists from around the world for five days of study and performance under the guidance of an exceptional international faculty. 

“As we bring this 13th edition of ClaviCologne to a close, I feel extremely proud of what has been achieved here in Italy”, said Konstantin Ishkhanov. “As always, we welcomed a truly international group of students, and this year’s participants represented 22 countries, which is a wonderful reflection of the festival’s global spirit. Events like ClaviCologne are important because they give young musicians more than just lessons. They offer inspiration, discipline, cultural exchange, and the chance to understand what it means to grow within an international artistic community. Supporting the next generation of pianists in this way is one of the most meaningful things we can do for the future of classical music!”

The final day featured one last full programme of masterclasses at the Conservatory of Music “Luisa D’Annunzio”, with students continuing their work with a distinguished group of professors including Michel Béroff (France), Milana Chernyavska (Germany/Ukraine), Pietro De Maria (Italy), Pavel Gililov (Austria), Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy), Grigory Gruzman (Germany), Stepan Simonian (Germany), Stefan Vladar (Austria), and Hisako Kawamura (Japan). After several days of intensive study, the closing sessions offered participants a final opportunity to refine their ideas, and consolidate the guidance they had received throughout the festival.

The day also included the final installment of the festival’s Lunchtime Concert Series, which once again gave young pianists the chance to perform before fellow participants, professors, and guests. The closing lunchtime programme featured performances by Inya Cutova, Xuyuan Tian, Jiawei Hu, Jiayin He, and Zemin Luo, bringing the daily student concert series to a close and highlighting the range of talent that has shaped this year’s edition.

In the evening, once the masterclasses had come to an end, participants travelled to the historic Teatro Marrucino in Chieti for the festival’s final concert and official Diploma Ceremony. The event provided a fitting conclusion to the week, celebrating the achievements of the students and offering a moment of recognition for the dedication, discipline, and artistic growth shown throughout the programme.

Set within one of Abruzzo’s most beautiful cultural venues, the final evening brought together students, professors, and organisers in a spirit of celebration, in what was not only a formal closing ceremony, but also a moment of shared reflection on a week defined by musical discovery, international friendship, and the constant exchange of ideas between young artists and leading pedagogues.

“This final day is always a very emotional moment”, remarked Giuliano Mazzoccante, “because after several days of intense work, you can really see how much the students have absorbed and developed. The educational value of a festival like ClaviCologne lies not only in the masterclasses themselves, but in everything that surrounds them: listening to other students, performing in concerts, speaking with professors, discovering new ideas, and learning how to approach music with greater maturity. I believe this edition has once again shown how important it is to create spaces where young pianists can be challenged, encouraged, and inspired, all at the same time!”

With this 13th edition now behind us, ClaviCologne 2026 has left a host of wonderful memories in the minds of students and professors alike, reaffirming the festival’s place as an important international platform for young pianists and setting the stage for the next chapter in its rich history.

For further information about the ClaviCologne International Piano Festival, visit the official website at clavicologne.com today.