Daniel Barenboim Steps Back from Germany's Ruhr Piano Festival

Due to Barenboim's health condition, he has had to step back from the "Beethoven for All" concert on May 12

"We are saddened that his 32nd appearance at the Ruhr Piano Festival since 1996 will unfortunately not be possible due to his current health condition," the Ruhr Piano Festival wrote on their website.

This follows Barenboim's decision in October 2022 to step back from performing after being diagnosed with a serious neurological condition.

The concert on May 12, 2023, will now feature three young pianists who have been shaped by Daniel Barenboim in his master classes at the Barenboim-Saïd Academy. The concert entitled “Beethoven for All,” has thus become an homage to Daniel Barenboim and a testament to the Ruhr Piano Festival's support for young pianists.

Fabian Müller, who has been closely associated with the Ruhr Piano Festival since his debut in 2008, will play Beethoven’s Sonata in E major op. 109 at his 28th appearance.

US-born pianist Julia Hamos will interpret Beethoven’s Sonata in A flat major op. 110. Hamos is an artist in the Classeek Ambassador Programme and part of András Schiff's Building Bridges program. You can hear her perform for the Classeek community, here.

Bochum-born Schaghajegh Nosrati will perform Beethoven’s last Sonata in C minor op. 111.