Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of Yuchao Zhou at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist Yuchao Zhou takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing his artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 Yuchao Zhou - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Beethoven - Sonata No.3 in C Major, Op.2 No.3, 1st movement 12:21 Beethoven - Sonata No.3 in C Major, Op.2 No.3, 2nd movement 24:25 Liszt - Transcendental Etude No. 10 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate Yuchao Zhou’s musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits This video was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #YuchaoZhou

Get your Free Profile & Market Assessment: https://ciceronema.com/cima-streams-free-assessment/ What makes an artist’s repertoire truly distinctive? And how do the musical choices artists make shape the way audiences hear, discover, and remember them? In Episode 10 of Beyond Recording, presented by Sound Espressivo & CiMA Streams, we continue exploring the art behind classical music production with Gianriccardo Pera of CiMA Streams. This time, we look at the balance between familiar classics and lesser-known discoveries, and how repertoire choices can become an essential part of an artist’s identity. From giving listeners a familiar point of entry to introducing music they may never have encountered before, every recording offers an opportunity to tell a story and reveal a musical perspective. We also explore how an artist’s catalogue can develop into a distinctive musical signature — shaped by recurring interests, unexpected connections, and a willingness to explore beyond the familiar. Because choosing what to record is not just about the music itself. It is about what an artist wants to communicate, what they bring to the repertoire, and how they want to be heard. 🎼 Beyond Recording — exploring the art of classical music production, from artistic decisions to the processes behind bringing music to listeners. Presented by Sound Espressivo & CiMA Streams. Subscribe to Virtual Concert Halls Live Music Channel for more conversations about classical music, recording, and the people behind the production. 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #BeyondRecording #ClassicalMusic #MusicProduction #Recording #ArtistIdentity #Repertoire #CiMAStreams #SoundEspressivo

Ante Božić-Kudrić – Pastorale for String Quartet The Beauty of Four Strings 🎻 Lehner Quartet Performs Pastorale | #soundespressivo The Lehner Quartet performs Pastorale for String Quartet, an original composition by Ante Božić-Kudrić. Through the intimate sound of two violins, viola, and cello, this contemporary chamber work explores musical dialogue, expressive textures, and the timeless beauty of string quartet writing. This video is an excerpt from our Sound Espressivo Gala Concert, celebrating living composers and outstanding chamber ensembles from around the world. #LehnerQuartet #AnteBozicKudric #Pastorale #StringQuartet #ChamberMusic #ContemporaryClassicalMusic #NewMusic #ClassicalMusic #MusicShorts #YouTubeShorts

Continuing our series dedicated to Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies, this video presents the best moments from the Magnificent Nine. Featuring selected highlights from the documentary series, followed by commentary, Anna Ouspenskaya and Chris Ka Long Au reflect on key musical and historical insights. More about Architects of Music: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE In this ongoing series, Lawrence Rapchak examines each movement of Beethoven’s symphonies, revealing their inner structures and illuminating the architecture of each complete work. No other program about Beethoven’s symphonies has been created in this fashion, and it is our hope to present all nine of these masterpieces in the coming months. To accompany the audio in each episode, the Virtual Concert Halls team has created a visually engaging experience. The visuals include composer portraits, full scores and piano reductions with highlighted passages, performance photos, landscapes to support the narrative, and curated images of Beethoven himself. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Audio Producer & Mix Engineer: Steve Robinson Movie Director: Anna Ouspenskaya Assistant Director & Storyboard: Frane Rušinović Animation, Motion Graphic & Design: Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) Audio Engineer: Eric Arunas Video Editing: Frane Rušinović, Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music: Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor (Naxos Records) Script content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

We’re now in the second section of this movement with a more florid main theme. This variation “glides along” until a new variation begins including a fantasy in thirds for the flutes and clarinets. But then the C Major Procession returns…for a bit. Just about everything in this movement is based on an ascending triad, the architectural glue that holds this movement together. A whimsical final variation appears near the end but Beethoven does something very special with the melody that is “sunny and warm” and leads to a triumphant conclusion BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE The Beethoven 5th movie is the first in a series of programs that will explore all nine of Beethoven’s great symphonies. In each program, Mr. Rapchak will examine each movement from each symphony and reveal the overall structure of each movement and the structure of the entire symphony. He does this through a combination of talk interspersed with excerpts he performs at the piano and music excerpts taken from a Naxos Records recording of the nine symphonies. In some cases, he talks over the music in what we call “play-by-play” sections. To accompany the audio in each program, the Virtual Concert Halls team has created a series of stunning visuals that follow the story as it unfolds. The visuals include pictures of composers Mr. Rapchak mentions in each program, the full score or piano reduction of passages he is discussing that are highlighted so listeners can follow along, images of musicians performing, wonderful landscapes to move the narrative along and, of course, images of Beethoven that are used judiciously throughout. For the Beethoven 5th movie, Lawrence begins right away with his passionate and entertaining narration. “It is terse, it is compact. Its dynamic energy is concentrated into a mere nine and a half minutes of music, the shortest opening movement of Beethoven’s nine symphonies. And it’s all the more stunning because of the bold unprecedented way in which it begins.” And from here he takes us on a journey throughout all four movements showing how they are intertwined and how Beethoven used a variety of harmonic and melodic techniques to power his visionary thinking. We also learn that Beethoven used a four- note theme in a few of his other compositions and that a piece by Cherubini that Beethoven almost certainly knew, has a passage in it that is startling similar to Beethoven’s famous opening theme in the 5th Symphony. We learn that the transition passage from the third to fourth movement had a profound influence on music and art and inspired Berlioz to write an evocative description of it. And, as noted, the entire program is accompanied by a beautiful and rich series of images that accompany the film and that enhance it in a uniquely beautiful way. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Steve Robinson - Audio Producer, Audio Mix Engineer Anna Ouspenskaya - Movie Director Frane Rušinović - Assistant Director Igor Zubkovsky, Frane Rušinović – Storyboard Frane Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) – Animation, Motion Graphic & Design Eric Arunas – Audio Engineer Video editing- Frane Rušinović, Frane Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music – Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor, Naxos Records Script Content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 The producers wish to thank Richard Colburn and the Negaunee Foundation for their generous support of this project. See more of The Architects of Music productions at: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic Soundtrack Credits: Alla Lowery (Composer-In-Residence), Igor Zubkovsky, Anna Ouspenskaya, Ante Božić-Kudrić (Young Composer-in-Residence), Sergey Zubkovsky 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits This video was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of Reiko Osawa at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist Reiko Osawa takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing her artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 Reiko Osawa - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:34 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fantasia in D minor, K.397 11:09 Akio Yoshiro: Sonata pour piano - 1st movement 25:28 George Gershwin: Three Preludes - 1. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 27:23 George Gershwin: Three Preludes - 2. Andante con moto 30:47 George Gershwin: Three Preludes - 3. Agitato 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate Reiko Osawa's musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #Reiko Osawa

Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of Cheuk Hin Ivan Wong at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist Cheuk Hin Ivan Wong takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing his artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 Cheuk Hin Ivan Wong - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:36 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Fantasie in C minor, K. 475 21:27 Franz Liszt - Paraphrase on a Waltz from Gounod's 'Faust', S.407 Cheuk Hin Ivan Wong is an engineering manager from Richmond, BC, Canada. Ivan began learning the piano at the age of 3. Though he did not follow a formal conservatory path, he is deeply grateful to all his teachers for cultivating his musicianship. For him, music has always been a lifelong companion and a sanctuary for reflection. He continues to share his journey as a dedicated amateur performer alongside his professional career in financial technology. He is currently based in Vancouver, Canada. 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate Cheuk Hin Ivan Wong's musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #CheukHin #IvanWong

Why does Beethoven’s music create such a deep impression with so little orchestral density? Larry Rapchak compares Beethoven’s orchestration with Mahler’s, highlighting how Beethoven can achieve extraordinary power, clarity, and emotional impact without the massive, densely layered sound of a later composer like Mahler. Sometimes, less is more—and Beethoven proves it. 🎼 🎻 From Magnificent Nine! Beethoven Symphony No. 3 Part 5 🎧 Watch the full discussion and performance on the Virtual Concert Halls YouTube channel. Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica, marks a decisive break from Classical convention. Monumental in scale and ambition, it expands sonata form, intensifies harmonic tension, and treats thematic material with unprecedented developmental weight. The symphony is driven by bold rhythmic motives, abrupt contrasts, and a pervasive sense of struggle and transformation. Originally conceived in a heroic vein, Eroica presents not triumph alone but conflict, loss, and hard-won resolution, establishing a new model for the symphony as a dramatic and philosophical statement. Continuing our series dedicated to Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies, this video presents selected highlights from the documentary series, followed by commentary from Anna Ouspenskaya and Chris Ka Long Au, reflecting on key musical and historical insights. BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE In the ongoing Beethoven’s Universe series, Lawrence Rapchak examines each movement of Beethoven’s symphonies, revealing their inner structures and illuminating the architecture of each complete work. The series combines musical analysis with a visually engaging experience created by the Virtual Concert Halls team, featuring full scores and piano reductions with highlighted passages, composer portraits, performance photographs, landscapes, and curated images of Beethoven. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Audio Producer & Mix Engineer: Steve Robinson Movie Director: Anna Ouspenskaya Assistant Director & Storyboard: Frane Rušinović Animation, Motion Graphic & Design: Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) Audio Engineer: Eric Arunas Video Editing: Frane Rušinović, Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music: Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor (Naxos Records) Script content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 More about Architects of Music: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic #Beethoven #Mahler #Orchestration #ClassicalMusic #BeethovenSymphony #Eroica #SymphonyNo3 #Orchestra #MusicHistory #YouTubeShorts

Continuing our series dedicated to Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies, this video presents the best moments from the Magnificent Nine. Featuring selected highlights from the documentary series, followed by commentary, Anna Ouspenskaya and Chris Ka Long Au reflect on key musical and historical insights. More about Architects of Music: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE In this ongoing series, Lawrence Rapchak examines each movement of Beethoven’s symphonies, revealing their inner structures and illuminating the architecture of each complete work. No other program about Beethoven’s symphonies has been created in this fashion, and it is our hope to present all nine of these masterpieces in the coming months. To accompany the audio in each episode, the Virtual Concert Halls team has created a visually engaging experience. The visuals include composer portraits, full scores and piano reductions with highlighted passages, performance photos, landscapes to support the narrative, and curated images of Beethoven himself. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Audio Producer & Mix Engineer: Steve Robinson Movie Director: Anna Ouspenskaya Assistant Director & Storyboard: Frane Rušinović Animation, Motion Graphic & Design: Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) Audio Engineer: Eric Arunas Video Editing: Frane Rušinović, Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music: Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor (Naxos Records) Script content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

Are there really different European and American approaches to editing & mastering classical music recordings? In this clip from Beyond Recording, we explore the differences in philosophy, aesthetics and workflow that can shape the editing and mastering of a classical recording. The discussion looks beyond simply correcting mistakes: How much should we edit? When does technical precision begin to interfere with the natural character of a live performance? How do dynamics, continuity, musical phrasing and final loudness influence the finished recording? The clip also explores the relationship between editing and mastering, including the contrasting ideas of natural dynamic range versus a more controlled and defined final sound. Ultimately, editing a classical recording is not just a technical process. Every decision affects how the listener experiences the performance. Beyond Recording explores the art, craft and philosophy behind classical music production. Presented by Sound Espressivo & CiMA Streams https://ciceronema.com/ 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #BeyondRecording #ClassicalMusic #MusicProduction #ClassicalRecording #MusicEditing #MusicMastering #AudioEngineering #ClassicalMusicRecording #SoundEngineering #RecordingEngineering

id you know that geography changes how classical music is edited? 🌍 🎙️ In Episode 5 of Beyond Recording, we dive into the fascinating philosophy behind European vs. American editing styles. From how ambient room tone is treated to the way musical dynamics are preserved, these regional preferences completely reshape the final listening experience. Watch the full episode on our channel! #BeyondRecording #AudioEditing #MusicProduction #ClassicalMusic #AudioEngineering #OrchestralMusic #SoundEspressivo #VirtualConcertHalls #RecordingTechniques #Shorts

Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of William Bloomquist at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist William Bloomquist takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing her artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 William Bloomquist - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:36 Johannes Brahms - Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 116, No. 2 5:26 Johannes Brahms - Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 19:55 Nicholas Medtner - Fairy Tale in E minor, Op. 34, No. 2 21:58 Nicholas Medtner - Fairy Tale in F minor, Op. 26, No. 3 24:13 Nicholas Medtner - Fairy Tale in C# minor, Op. 35, No.4 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate William Bloomquist's musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #WilliamBloomquist

Today we are presenting the Carnegie Gala Auditions. Musicians are auditioning for an opportunity to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, in Gala concerts in New York City. The Sound Espressivo Gala Auditions are organized by Sound Espressivo and Virtual Concert Halls. Auditionees from many countries are seeking guidance and support from the Judges, through live comments which you will hear after each performance today. Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Today's Judges: Ivan Violić - Composer, Pianist Anna Ouspenskaya - Pianist, Piano Teacher Program: Jack Alford - J.S. Bach: Partita in D minor - III. Sarabande 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

Laureates Gala, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall In this Artist Spotlight, we feature Greg Brown, one of the exceptional artists from our international Laureates Gala. These artists, hailing from around the world, joined us in New York for in-depth interviews with Steve Robinson, legendary radio producer and host. 🎶 About Greg Brown American performer, composer and recording artist Greg C. Brown has released over 25 CDs either under his own name or in various other projects. He has performed across the US, Canada, and Europe including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. He has taught guitar professionally for over 25 years, including Mary Baldwin University and other private institutions. He is currently teaching privately in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. Greg is a graduate of the Music, Video and Business program at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, has a Bachelor’s in Business from City University in Bellevue, Washington with a specialty in Music Industry and completed his Master’s in Music Composition at the Vermont College for Fine Arts in 2022. Brown is a member of the Guitar Foundation of America, the Charlottesville Classical Guitar Society, the College Music Society, Chamber Music America, and the Society of Composers, Inc. His music can be heard on TV, Film, Video Games, and radio stations around the world and has even been transcribed into Braille. Greg’s recordings can be purchased or streamed on most major platforms. 🔗 Learn more about Greg Brown: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/artists/greg-brown 🎤 About the Gala Auditions When you apply to the Sound Espressivo Gala Auditions, you're treated as a complete artist. You choose your own repertoire. You're interviewed to connect with audiences on a personal level. You receive live feedback from world-class judges — often like a mini masterclass. Our programs aim to present you not only as a performer but as a fully-formed artist and individual. 🎧 About Steve Robinson Steve Robinson is a veteran American radio executive and producer, known for his leadership at WFMT (Chicago), WBUR, WGBH, WCRB, and more. He brings decades of broadcasting excellence to these interviews, connecting deeply with each artist's story. 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits This video was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

Get your Free Profile & Market Assessment: https://ciceronema.com/cima-streams-free-assessment/ Subscribe to Virtual Concert Halls Live Music Channel for more conversations about classical music, recording, and the people behind the production. 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #BeyondRecording #ClassicalMusic #MusicProduction #ClassicalRecording #Repertoire #AlbumProduction #CiMAStreams #SoundEspressivo #VirtualConcertHalls

Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of Illya Bunyakin at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist Illya Bunyakin takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing his artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 Illya Bunyakin - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Beethoven - Sonata No. 27 in E Minor Op. 90, 1st movement 15:58 Beethoven - Sonata No. 27 in E Minor Op. 90, 2nd movement 33:02 Rachmaninoff - Etude-Tableaux Op.33 No.4 in D Minor 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate Illya Bunyakin’s musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ https://colorchestra.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today’s broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #IllyaBunyakin

Experience the brilliant semifinal highlights of Catherine Doss at the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition, presented by the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) as part of The Festival of Music 2026. In this performance, pianist Catherine Doss takes the stage for the semifinal round of this prestigious international competition, showcasing his artistry, musicality, and passion for the piano. 🎼 Catherine Doss - Semifinals Program: 0:00 Intro 1:37 Karol Szymanowski - Mazurka Op. 50, No. 1 12:40 Johannes Brahms - Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 28:17 Nurit Tilles - Raw Silk (A Rag) 🏆 Competition: 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition 🎶 Event: The Festival of Music 2026 🎥 Presented through: Virtual Concert Halls 📍 Washington, D.C. The Washington International Piano Artists Competition celebrates exceptional pianists aged 31 and older who are not professional pianists, highlighting the remarkable level of artistry that can be achieved by musicians whose primary careers may lie outside of music. The Washington International Piano Arts Council was founded in 2001 by John Gardecki and his wife, Chateau. The idea for the organization grew from John’s own experiences participating in international piano competitions for amateur pianists, including the Concours International des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris and the Van Cliburn International Piano Amateur Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by these experiences, John and Chateau envisioned bringing a similar opportunity to Washington, D.C.—a place where talented pianists could perform, compete, and share their love of music regardless of whether piano was their full-time profession. Their vision led to the creation of the Washington International Piano Arts Council. A central part of WIPAC’s mission is the belief that great musical artistry is not limited to full-time professional musicians. Many of the pianists who participate in WIPAC competitions and concerts pursue careers in entirely different fields while continuing to perform at an exceptionally high level through their dedication, discipline, and love of music. Among WIPAC’s major annual events are the Winners Grand Prix Concert, featuring winners of international piano competitions for non-professional adult pianists, as well as the annual Festival of Music and the Washington International Piano Artists Competition. We invite you to enjoy these semifinal highlights and celebrate Catherine Doss' musical artistry alongside the outstanding pianists participating in the 23rd Washington International Piano Artists Competition. 🎶 Thank you for joining us for The Festival of Music 2026! #FestivalOfMusic2026 #PianoCompetition #Piano #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #WashingtonInternationalPianoArtists #WIPAC #PianoArtists #PianoSemifinals #ClassicalPiano #LiveMusic #VirtualConcert #MusicCompetition #CatherineDoss

Continuing our series dedicated to Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies, this video presents the best moments from the Magnificent Nine. Featuring selected highlights from the documentary series, followed by commentary, Anna Ouspenskaya and Chris Ka Long Au reflect on key musical and historical insights. More about Architects of Music: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE In this ongoing series, Lawrence Rapchak examines each movement of Beethoven’s symphonies, revealing their inner structures and illuminating the architecture of each complete work. No other program about Beethoven’s symphonies has been created in this fashion, and it is our hope to present all nine of these masterpieces in the coming months. To accompany the audio in each episode, the Virtual Concert Halls team has created a visually engaging experience. The visuals include composer portraits, full scores and piano reductions with highlighted passages, performance photos, landscapes to support the narrative, and curated images of Beethoven himself. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Audio Producer & Mix Engineer: Steve Robinson Movie Director: Anna Ouspenskaya Assistant Director & Storyboard: Frane Rušinović Animation, Motion Graphic & Design: Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) Audio Engineer: Eric Arunas Video Editing: Frane Rušinović, Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music: Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor (Naxos Records) Script content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits Today's broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky

What does modern art and music tell us about the world we live in today? Chris and Anna explore the relationship between art, music, society, and the human experience, asking whether contemporary art truly reflects our reality—or something else entirely. A thought-provoking conversation about how the art we create connects with the world around us. 🎨🎵 🎻 This Short is taken from “Magnificent Nine! Beethoven Symphony No. 3 Part 5” on the Virtual Concert Halls YouTube channel. Watch the full episode and join the conversation! Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica, marks a decisive break from Classical convention. Monumental in scale and ambition, it expands sonata form, intensifies harmonic tension, and treats thematic material with unprecedented developmental weight. The symphony is driven by bold rhythmic motives, abrupt contrasts, and a pervasive sense of struggle and transformation. Originally conceived in a heroic vein, Eroica presents not triumph alone but conflict, loss, and hard-won resolution, establishing a new model for the symphony as a dramatic and philosophical statement. Continuing our series dedicated to Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies, this video presents selected highlights from the documentary series, followed by commentary from Anna Ouspenskaya and Chris Ka Long Au, reflecting on key musical and historical insights. BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE In the ongoing Beethoven’s Universe series, Lawrence Rapchak examines each movement of Beethoven’s symphonies, revealing their inner structures and illuminating the architecture of each complete work. The series combines musical analysis with a visually engaging experience created by the Virtual Concert Halls team, featuring full scores and piano reductions with highlighted passages, composer portraits, performance photographs, landscapes, and curated images of Beethoven. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Audio Producer & Mix Engineer: Steve Robinson Movie Director: Anna Ouspenskaya Assistant Director & Storyboard: Frane Rušinović Animation, Motion Graphic & Design: Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) Audio Engineer: Eric Arunas Video Editing: Frane Rušinović, Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music: Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor (Naxos Records) Script content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 More about Architects of Music: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic #ModernArt #ModernMusic #ArtAndMusic #ClassicalMusic #Beethoven #MusicAndArt #ArtDiscussion #MusicDiscussion #VirtualConcertHalls #YouTubeShorts

The “genial and elegant” second theme appears, also with the dotted figure. There is an “old world, promenade character to this theme.” But don’t be deceived. The next section is startling: it’s a march! However, it’s soon back to the “gloom.” But before long we come to a glorious C Major passage. Alas, not for long. Where is Beethoven going? We review the various sections we’ve heard up to this point and the section ends in a very formal, courtly manner. BEETHOVEN’S UNIVERSE The Beethoven 5th movie is the first in a series of programs that will explore all nine of Beethoven’s great symphonies. In each program, Mr. Rapchak will examine each movement from each symphony and reveal the overall structure of each movement and the structure of the entire symphony. He does this through a combination of talk interspersed with excerpts he performs at the piano and music excerpts taken from a Naxos Records recording of the nine symphonies. In some cases, he talks over the music in what we call “play-by-play” sections. To accompany the audio in each program, the Virtual Concert Halls team has created a series of stunning visuals that follow the story as it unfolds. The visuals include pictures of composers Mr. Rapchak mentions in each program, the full score or piano reduction of passages he is discussing that are highlighted so listeners can follow along, images of musicians performing, wonderful landscapes to move the narrative along and, of course, images of Beethoven that are used judiciously throughout. For the Beethoven 5th movie, Lawrence begins right away with his passionate and entertaining narration. “It is terse, it is compact. Its dynamic energy is concentrated into a mere nine and a half minutes of music, the shortest opening movement of Beethoven’s nine symphonies. And it’s all the more stunning because of the bold unprecedented way in which it begins.” And from here he takes us on a journey throughout all four movements showing how they are intertwined and how Beethoven used a variety of harmonic and melodic techniques to power his visionary thinking. We also learn that Beethoven used a four- note theme in a few of his other compositions and that a piece by Cherubini that Beethoven almost certainly knew, has a passage in it that is startling similar to Beethoven’s famous opening theme in the 5th Symphony. We learn that the transition passage from the third to fourth movement had a profound influence on music and art and inspired Berlioz to write an evocative description of it. And, as noted, the entire program is accompanied by a beautiful and rich series of images that accompany the film and that enhance it in a uniquely beautiful way. Created by New Media Productions Worldwide and Virtual Concert Halls Written and Narrated by Lawrence Rapchak Steve Robinson - Audio Producer, Audio Mix Engineer Anna Ouspenskaya - Movie Director Frane Rušinović - Assistant Director Igor Zubkovsky, Frane Rušinović – Storyboard Frane Miro Dobrović (dPhoto Studio) – Animation, Motion Graphic & Design Eric Arunas – Audio Engineer Video editing- Frane Rušinović, Frane Miro Dobrović, Igor Zubkovsky Music – Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Bela Drahos, conductor, Naxos Records Script Content copyright © Lawrence Rapchak, 2021 The producers wish to thank Richard Colburn and the Negaunee Foundation for their generous support of this project. See more of The Architects of Music productions at: https://www.youtube.com/@thearchitectsofmusic Soundtrack Credits: Alla Lowery (Composer-In-Residence), Igor Zubkovsky, Anna Ouspenskaya, Ante Božić-Kudrić (Young Composer-in-Residence), Sergey Zubkovsky 🌍 Learn more and apply: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls: https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ 🎬 Production Credits This video was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team: Frane Rušinović • Ante Božić-Kudrić • Chris Au • Jennifer Wang • Marko Borna Torre • Krisztian Palagyi • Anna Ouspenskaya • Fedor Ouspensky • Igor Zubkovsky