Thank you, Maestro SOKOLOV!!

Thursday, July 23, 2026, began with orchestra and ensemble rehearsals, followed by intensive chamber music lessons in preparation for this weekend's student concerts.

Then, the Grigory Sokolov saga began.

It started with the arrival of a magnificent Steinway Model D concert grand piano, brought especially for the occasion, followed by the setup of a professional video and audio production team preparing to record the evening's concert.

It is worth noting that Mr. Sokolov very rarely allows his concerts to be filmed, making his decision to permit the recording of this performance a truly exceptional honor for our festival.

Maestro Sokolov then arrived for his rehearsal and, before long, met our cat, Laurel, with whom he immediately formed a rather special friendship. 🙂

As evening fell, the audience arrived in great numbers for what promised to be an extraordinary event - and no one left disappointed.

Maestro Sokolov delivered a sublime performance featuring works by Beethoven and Schubert, before concluding with six unforgettable encores, including exquisite miniatures by Brahms and Chopin. The audience, along with our young musicians, was utterly captivated and simply did not want the evening to end.

What a truly unforgettable night!

Thank you, Maestro Sokolov!