American classical pianist Martin Berkofsky has impressed music critics around the world with his firebrand virtuosity. But 25 years ago, he stopped playing for critics and began performing for charitable causes.

Four of today's most outstanding pianists take on the dual role of soloist/director in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's special four-concert series, Director's Notes, which is presented in Edinburgh and Glasgow, opening at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall on Thursday 24th January 2008.

Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Oscar Peterson has died. He was 82.

Music is said to be the universal language, and jazz, in particular, travels well from one culture to the next. A recent conference in Los Angeles looked at the ties forged by jazz between France and the United States. Mike O'Sullivan spoke with noted French pianist Rene Urtreger about the influence of jazz in his country.

Renowned Palestinian-Israeli pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar will visit Brown University Nov. 9-11, 2007. In addition to presenting a piano recital and offering a workshop for Brown students, Abboud Ashkar will participate in a panel discussion focusing on the role of the humanities in bridging cultural differences on an international level.

Olga Kern plays the piano with a free spirit. She relishes music that's lyrical, drawing it in to a whisper when she feels the urge. Come time for excitement, she dives in headlong, tossing things off with pizzazz.

Young Finnish pianist Antti Siirala makes his Singapore debut playing Mozart's possibly most popular Piano Concerto No. 21, frequently remembered for its lyrical second movement featured in the 1967 Swedish film, "Elvira Madigan".

Austin audiences will cheer the opening of the Austin Symphony's 97th concert season on September 14 & 15. Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO open their Classical Concert season with legendary pianist Philippe Entremont for a night featuring works by Corigliano, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn.

An all-star lineup of jazz greats: Dave Brubeck, the Bruce Hornsby Trio and Madeleine Peyroux, treat Hollywood Bowl audience to their masterful and diverse performances, Wednesday, August 22, at 8 p.m. American jazz singer Peyroux, whose vocal style is often compared to that of Billie Holiday, opens the concert in her Bowl debut.

The Swire New Generation Pianathon, a fundraising piano marathon organized by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO), will be held on 26 August, Sunday, 1 to 7 pm in Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing, to promote the love of piano playing among the youths.

Heralded by critics and fellow musicians as one of the outstanding pianists of his generation, Argentine-Venezuelan pianist Sergio Tiempo has quickly risen to international stardom since making his debut at 14 on the Great Pianists series at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in 1986.

International pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet is famous for his breathtaking virtuosity at the piano. These days he is famous as much as for his fashionably glamorous wardrobe of concert outfits, borne out of a close friendship with British designer Vivienne Westwood. Come Sep 21, he will make a return appearance in Singapore to perform Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.