Music

After 27 remarkable years on the podium, Robert Longfield will be taking his final bow as our Music Director. Join us for a special musical celebration as we honor his extraordinary leadership, artistry, and lasting impact on our musicians and community.

The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival continues its mission to support the young generation of pianists by presenting a unique evening of collaboration featuring the Apollon Musagète Quartet and Frost School of Music bassist Brian Powell, performing alongside the winners of the Academy’s chamber and concerto auditions. This concert brings together world‑class artists and rising young talents in a celebration of mentorship, artistry, and shared musical discovery. The program includes Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E‑flat major, op. 44, one of the great pillars of the chamber repertoire—radiant, dramatic, and overflowing with Romantic imagination. The evening also features a performance of one of Chopin’s piano concerti, selected according to the winner of the concerto auditions, offering audiences the rare opportunity to hear these beloved works in an intimate chamber setting. A highlight of the festival, this concert embodies the spirit of the Academy: exceptional musicians guiding and inspiring the next generation, and young artists rising to meet the moment with passion, skill, and individuality.

The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival proudly presents the Apollon Musagète Quartet, one of Europe’s most compelling and imaginative chamber ensembles. Known for their refined sound, expressive depth, and striking artistic identity, the quartet brings a program that explores the profound emotional and structural possibilities of the string quartet repertoire. The program opens with “Contrapunctus I” from Bach’s Art of the Fugue, a work of crystalline counterpoint and architectural purity that reveals the ensemble’s exceptional clarity and unity of voice. The concert culminates in Schubert’s Death and the Maiden, a masterpiece of dramatic intensity and lyrical beauty. From its haunting opening to its electrifying finale, the quartet brings Schubert’s vision to life with urgency, nuance, and a deep sense of narrative. A highlight of the festival’s chamber music offerings, this concert showcases the Apollon Musagète Quartet at their most compelling—where precision meets imagination, and timeless works find new resonance. The concert will open with performances by selected participants of the academy who will play celebrated works by Chopin. Program: J. S. Bach - “Contrapunctus I” from Art of the Fugue F. Schubert – String Quartet in D minor, no. 14, D. 810 “Death and the Maiden”

Each year, the Frost Chopin Academy & Festival shines a spotlight on its youngest and most promising participants in the “Stars of the Academy” concert. This special evening celebrates emerging talent through performances of music exclusively by Chopin, offering audiences a glimpse of the artistry, imagination, and dedication that define the next generation of pianists. From poetic miniatures to virtuosic showpieces, these young artists bring fresh perspective and heartfelt expression to Chopin’s timeless works—an inspiring reminder of how powerfully his music continues to speak across ages and backgrounds. A highlight of the Festival, this concert captures the spirit of discovery, mentorship, and musical excellence at the heart of the Academy.

The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival concludes with a vibrant and imaginative program featuring the Ted Rosenthal Trio, one of today’s most inventive voices in jazz. Known for his ability to bridge classical tradition and contemporary improvisation, Rosenthal brings a program drawn from his acclaimed album Classics Reimagined: Impromp2, where themes by Chopin, Brahms, Dvořák, and others are transformed into fresh, expressive landscapes for jazz trio. As Paris‑Move writes, “Rosenthal’s jazz arrangements are not content to decorate; they transform. He can be proud of his vision, his ensemble, and this luminous conversation between centuries.” The program also includes selections from Rosenthal’s recent release High Standards, alongside original works from The Ted Rosenthal Songbook, offering a rich tapestry of lyricism, swing, and inventive interplay. A celebratory finale to the festival, this concert invites audiences into a world where classical lineage and jazz imagination meet—closing the week with energy, elegance, and artistic freedom. The concert will open with performances by selected participants of the academy who will play celebrated works by Chopin.

The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival is honored to present a recital by Garrick Ohlsson, one of the most distinguished pianists of our time and a towering figure in the world of Chopin interpretation. Since winning the 1970 International Chopin Piano Competition—becoming the first American to receive this honor—Ohlsson has built a remarkable international career marked by technical mastery, intellectual depth, and a rare ability to reveal the full emotional and structural richness of the repertoire. Renowned for his expansive command of piano literature, Ohlsson brings to this program three monumental works that illuminate the breadth of his artistry. Shostakovich’s Prelude and Fugue in E minor, op. 87, with its stark introspection and rigorous contrapuntal design, showcases Ohlsson’s architectural clarity. In Brahms’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel, op. 24, he turns to one of the great monuments of the Romantic repertoire—a work of symphonic imagination, expressive variety, and dazzling invention. The evening also includes Chopin’s Ballade in A‑flat major, op. 47, a narrative masterpiece whose poetic sweep and emotional depth have long been central to Ohlsson’s musical identity. Celebrated for performances that combine power, refinement, and profound insight, Ohlsson has appeared with the world’s leading orchestras and in the most prestigious concert halls. His Chopin playing, in particular, is revered for its nobility of sound and expressive sophistication, placing him among the defining interpreters of the modern era. This recital stands as a centerpiece of the 2026 Festival—an opportunity to experience an artist whose legacy continues to shape the way audiences and musicians understand Chopin’s music. The concert will open with performances by selected participants of the academy who will play celebrated works by Chopin. Program: D. Shostakovich – Prelude and Fugue in E minor, op. 87 J. Brahms – Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, op. 24 F. Chopin – Ballade in A-flat major, op. 47

The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival launches its 2026 edition with an unforgettable opening concert featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Kate Liu. Catapulted to global attention after winning the Bronze Medal and the Audience Prize at the 17th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Liu has since earned a reputation as one of the most compelling Chopin interpreters of her generation. Her performances—praised for their poetic depth, luminous sound, and extraordinary emotional insight—have captivated audiences across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, Liu has appeared with major orchestras and on the world’s leading stages, consistently recognized for her rare ability to illuminate the inner life of Chopin’s music. Her artistry combines intellectual clarity with a deeply personal voice, making her a Chopin player of the highest caliber. For this opening recital, Liu offers a richly sculpted program that highlights the breadth of the Romantic imagination: Schumann’s Arabeske unfolding with intimate lyricism and Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 1 showcasing youthful brilliance and symphonic scope. The program will, of course, also feature music by Chopin; the Mazurkas, op. 50—miniatures of exquisite nuance and national character—and the iconic Piano Sonata No. 2, whose dramatic contrasts and haunting “Funeral March” remain among the most powerful statements in the piano repertoire. This opening concert sets the tone for a week of exceptional music‑making, so join us June 14-21 at Frost Chopin Academy and Festival. Program: F. Chopin – Mazurkas, op. 50 F. Chopin – Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, op. 35 R. Schumann – Arabeske, op. 18 J. Brahms – Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, op. 1

Start your weekend with rhythm! Everyone is welcome - families, beginners, and professional musicians alike. No experience needed to participate. Just bring your energy and love for music. Try out the instruments, learn from one another, and just jam out! For any updates, please follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/the_sfcpa

A Musical Journey Across Borders: From Jazz to Cha-cha-chá, From Blues to Timba Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 8 PM Miami Beach Bandshell Co-funded with Miami Light Project 18 years ago, Global Cuba Fest is a highly anticipated series featuring the most popular and innovative artists from Cuba and across the Cuban diaspora. This year, we are pleased to announce the presence of Yusa & Friends on March 21st at 8:00 p.m. at the Miami Beach Bandshell; accompanied by musicians from New Orleans: David Navarro, Marina Albero, and Martin Masakowski; and from Miami: Yissy García and Roberto Vizcaíno.

Homage to Franco Donatoni, with music by Donatoni and his distinguished former students: Cori, Landuzzi, Lindberg, Rasgado, Scannavini. Step into an evening dedicated to the imagination and legacy of Franco Donatoni, one of the most influential voices in contemporary music. This special program brings together works by Donatoni alongside pieces by some of his most distinguished former students—Cori, Landuzzi, Lindberg, Rasgado, and Scannavini—revealing a vibrant musical lineage shaped by curiosity, rigor, and invention. Audiences are invited to experience this rich tapestry of sound performed by an exceptional ensemble under the direction of Juan Trigos. Each work offers a different window into Donatoni’s artistic impact, celebrating both the master and the generations of composers who continue to carry his spirit forward. A welcoming, free event for all who wish to discover, rediscover, or simply be moved by the living energy of contemporary music. The Last Hundred Ensemble Juan Trigos, conductor Daniela D'Ingiullo, soprano Alyssa Mercedes Mena, flute Zin Syuan Hsiang, clarinet Robert Chapman, percussion Federico Bonacossa, guitar I Collin Wholloway, guitar Il Jacob Mason, piano Michael Vitenson, violin Jason Calloway, cello This event is possible thanks to Miami-Dade Community Grant and City of Coral Gables Cultural Grant. #miamidadearts #coralgablesarts