Critic's choice
Concert
The 18th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition
The Finals (3 – 9 September, 2026)
Tel Aviv, Israel
Named after one of the 20th century’s greatest pianists, the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition is a wonderful tradition going back over 50 years. Jacob Bistritzky, founder of the Competition, recognized the importance of managing Rubinstein’s musical legacy for future generations. Indeed, Rubinstein’s spirit has inspired the competition since 1974, when it started, and it is considered one of the leading and most influential piano competitions in the world.
A look at the pianists performing on the most prestigious stages in the world shows that more than a few of them began their careers at the Rubinstein Competition. Rubinstein’s renowned winners include Emanuel Ax, Gerhard Oppitz, Angela Cheng, Alexander Korsantia, Kirill Gerstein, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Igor Levit, Khatia Buniatishvili, Boris Giltburg, Daniil Trifonov, Juan Pérez Floristán, and the most recent winner, Kevin Chen.
The Competition jury comprises some of the best-performing pianists and leading musicians, who come from all over the world.
The competition is a celebration for lovers of music in general and piano in particular, and Tel Aviv rejoices with the audience who comes from all around the country and from abroad. The Awards Ceremony & Winners Concert will be held on September 9 at 7pm.
Concert
Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine: 2026 - 2027 Season
With two sagas running through its program, international artists, and original events that take music off the beaten path, the ONBA’s season showcases the orchestra at its full power. It is a season that celebrates both the music and the story of the friendship forged between the musicians and their music director: conductor Joseph Swensen, who was recently reappointed to lead the orchestra until 2030.
Two thematic arcs run through this program: the first is dedicated to the sensitive and lyrical genius of Sergei Rachmaninoff. His magnificent Piano Concerto No. 2, his Vocalise for orchestra, and other masterpieces are featured, alongside rarer works such as the overture to Aleko, an early opera.
The second series, in this bicentennial year, will be dedicated to… Beethoven. Symphonies and concertos will be featured in this concert series paying tribute to the Austrian master who passed away in 1827, and in which two ONBA soloists will perform alongside Marie-Ange Nguci.
Between September and June, in some thirty concerts at the Auditorium and elsewhere, the Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra will perform alongside renowned soloists such as Christian Tetzlaff, Liya Petrova, Dmitri Masleev, Marianne Crebassa, and Edgar Moreau.
To experience the orchestra’s power, enjoy film-concert performances, shows for young audiences, and a special concert dedicated to the music of John Williams, come to Bordeaux starting September 11!
Concert
Armenian State Symphony Orchestra - Concert on September 9 2026
Armenia, Where Music Burns Bright
Yerevan, Armenia | 9 September – 15 October 2026
What happens when one of the world’s oldest musical cultures meets the international classical stage? This autumn, Yerevan has the answer.
The 10th “Armenia” International Music Festival transforms the Armenian capital into a meeting point for musicians, ambitious programmes and the unmistakable energy of live orchestral music. From 9 September to 15 October, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra welcomes acclaimed soloists and conductors for four concerts celebrating a decade of musical discovery.
The opening night promises fireworks in every sense. Pianist Behzod Abduraimov joins Sergey Smbatyan for Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, framed by Bernstein’s Candide Overture, de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance and Stravinsky’s spectacular The Firebird.
The journey continues with violinist Diana Adamyan and cellist Benjamin Kruithof performing Brahms’ Double Concerto under Gianluca Marcianò, before Ion Marin brings Mozart and Tchaikovsky together in a powerful Classical–Romantic pairing.
The closing concert, conducted by Georgios Balatsinos, looks towards the present, bringing Armenian and international contemporary voices into dialogue with Shostakovich.
For its tenth anniversary, “Armenia” is not simply marking a milestone. It is celebrating what Yerevan does best: turning music into a bridge between cultures, generations and borders.