06/11/2026
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD INSTITUTE & FESTIVAL
JULY 7 – 12, 2026
MERKIN HALL at KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER
MASTERCLASSES AT KLAVIERHAUS
Concerts are planned for the 28th Season of the International Keyboard Institute & Festival, taking place at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center July 7 – 12. The IKIF Masters Series will present a showcase of six pianists in recital. All concerts take place at 8:00pm. Masterclasses will be held July 7-12 from 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm at Klavierhaus.
Founder/Director Jerome Rose performs the opening concert of Brahms, Schubert and Liszt on Tuesday, July 7.
Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner, gifted young American pianist and Gilmore Young Artist and Concert Artist Guild winner with international credentials, performs on Wednesday, July 8.
Dudana Mazmanishvili, Georgian pianist, studied in both Germany and the US where she was a student of Jerome Rose at Mannes. She performs Thursday, July 9.
Massimiliano Ferrati, Italian pianist, performs and gives masterclasses worldwide. A student of Sergio Perticaroli at S. Cecilia in Rome, he is currently Piano Professor at the Conservatory in Verona. He performs Friday, July 10.
David Khrikuli, Georgian pianist, gave memorable performances at the Chopin Competition in 2025, launching a worldwide career. Tours include Poland, Spain and Germany. He will perform Saturday, July 11.
Martín García García, First Prize at the 2021 Cleveland Competition, Third Prize at the 2021 Chopin Competition in Warsaw with a Special Award for Best Concerto performance, and IKIF 2018 Competition First Prize winner, performs extensively worldwide and returns to IKIF in recital on Sunday, July 12.
Highlights of the Festival Concerts at 8:00pm July 7-12 include:
Opening Concert in Merkin Hall July 7:
Founder/Director Jerome Rose performs Brahms Rhapsodies, Op. 79, Schubert Sonata in C minor, D. 958 and the Liszt Sonata
Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner on July 8 performs Debussy Estampes, Schumann Sonata No. 1, Rzewski Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues and the Barber Sonata
Dudana Mazmanishvili on July 9 performs Mozart Sonatas K. 331 and 533/494, Brahms Intermezzi, Op. 117, and Brahms Handel Variations.
Massimiliano Ferrati on July 10 performs Scarlatti Sonata in B minor, K. 87, Clementi Sonata in B minor, Schubert Moment Musicaux Op. 94, No. 2 & 3, Beethoven Sonata Op. 57, and Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition.
David Khrikuli on July 11 performs Brahms, Op. 119, Schumann Kreisleriana, Chopin Ballade No. 2, Four Mazurkas, Op.17, and Sonata No. 3, Op. 58.
Martín García García on July 12 performs Tchaikovsky Grand Sonata, Op. 37, Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales, and Schubert Sonata-Fantasia in G Major, D. 894
Since 1999 the Festival has attracted students from around the world who have the opportunity to attend the Festival and study with Faculty Artists, participate in masterclasses, and attend concerts and lectures given by some of the world’s best-known pianists and scholars. Over 290 video clips of past Festival events are posted on YouTube, and IKIF has a page. See: www.ikif.org
For a Schedule of Concerts, please see our website at: www.ikif.org. All Festival events are held at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. Masterclasses will be held at Klavierhaus, 790 11th Avenue. No tickets are required to attend the Masterclasses, but seating is limited.
Concert tickets for Merkin Hall events can be purchased through the Merkin Hall box office at 129 West 67th Street (Between Broadway and Amsterdam) in person, by phone at 212-501-3330 or online www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org
Box office is open: Sun-Thu: 12pm – 7pm; Friday: 12pm-5pm. Closed Saturday.
In July box office hours are: Monday-Friday 12pm – 5pm; closed Saturday and Sunday.
In July tickets may be picked up during summer Box office hours or starting two hours before each performance.
Merkin Hall Masters Series tickets: $20
Student and Senior tickets with ID: $10
For press information please contact Julie Kedersha, Festival Director at 212-665-2446 or [email protected]
