After a three-year hiatus due to Covid 19, the unique and popular concert performance known as THREE PIANOS – SIX HANDS TM returns to the McCallum Theatre on Monday, March 20th at 5:30 PM. The performance presented by Palm Springs International Piano Competition, formerly The Waring (aka PSIPC) is unique because it features virtuoso pianists performing on three pianos all at the same time. This concert marks the first production in Palm Desert by the new team of Artistic Director Robert Koenig and Board President Joe Giarrusso.
John Bayless, concert pianist / composer / recording artist and PSIPC’s Artistic Director Laureate musically arranged two works for three pianos that begin and close the performance: Bach Toccata and Fugue and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Concert pianist / 2013 Virginia Waring Solo Winner Scott Cuellar performs solos by Prokofiev and Schumann.
Concert pianist / recording artist Norman Krieger will play works by Chopin. Concert pianist Lisa Nakamichi will perform Debussy and Gershwin solos.
Both Krieger and Nakamichi crossed paths with Bayless while they were all at Juilliard. Cuellar also attended Juilliard. Bayless performs Rachmaninoff and John Williams solo and Mother Goose Suite with Nakamichi.
The show starts at 5:30 pm. Concert only tickets range from $45 to $150 through the McCallum Theatre box office: www.McCallumTheatre.com or call 760-340-2787. All concert goers must have proof of Covid Vaccination and a photo ID.
VIP seats that include both concert and an exclusive gourmet dinner afterwards at Morningside Country Club are $500 and $750. The $750 priced tickets are limited in number and include being seated with one of the artists. VIP tickets are only available through PSIPC: email agreer@PSIPC.org or call 760-773-2575. Dinner only tickets are available for those who have already purchased a concert ticket.
Event chair is JoAnn Wellner. The first THREE PIANOS, SIX HANDS TM played in 2014, conceived by the late board chair Peggy Cravens.
Presenting Sponsors are Auen Foundation, Muriel McBrian Kauffman Family Foundation, the Stephen Philibosian Foundation, and JoAnn Wellner. Other sponsors are Lu Barnes, City of Palm Desert, California Arts Council, Edie McCarthy Foundation, Eisenhower Health, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation – Steve Tobin; Palm Springs Friends of the Philharmonic, Peggy and Peter Preuss and Dr. Joel and Dixie Schulman. Venue sponsor is The McCallum Theatre. Call 760-773-2575 or visit www.psipc.org for more information. Funds raised by this event support PSIPC’s engagement outreach to local schools and the 2025 Junior and Intermediate Competitions for pianists 17 years and younger. Founded in 1983, The Palm Springs International Piano Competition (PSIPC) discovers, promotes, and inspires promising young classical pianists through biennial public competitions, offering monetary prizes and significant performance and career opportunities, while providing local community educational outreach and engagement. In addition, PSIPC showcases and highlights wide and diverse cultural musical offerings that serve the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley communities and beyond.