2026–2027 Classical Piano Series

The Tri-C Classical Piano Series is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year! Join us for another season of internationally acclaimed artists and rising young stars.

Welcome to the 2026–2027 Tri-C Classical Piano Series! The series will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with our patrons through four exceptional programs.

I am personally delighted to perform again in the series with my musical partner Antonio Pompa-Baldi. During the rest of the season, esteemed artists, returning and new, will each bring a unique program to Cleveland. We invite you to Tri-C's Metro Auditorium to experience world-class artistry in live musical performances that are free and open to everyone.

The Classical Piano Series is presented as part of Tri-C's Creative Arts Academy under the Division of Strategy and Community Impact. We hope you enjoy the concerts and look forward to seeing you throughout the year!

Emanuela Friscioni, Director
Classical Piano Series and Creative Arts Academy

Tri-C Classical Piano Series made possible by the William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation

Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanuela Friscioni

Sunday, Oct. 11 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket Required

Register for Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanuela Friscioni

Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanuela Friscioni began playing together after meeting in a 1996 master class in Mezzago, northern Italy, led by renowned pianist Aldo Ciccolini. Since then, their musical partnership has grown steadily as an integral part of their relationship. The husband and wife duo has performed to acclaim throughout the United States and Europe in two-piano and four-hand recitals, as well as with orchestras such as the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, the Reno Chamber Orchestra, the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra. They have recorded works by Schumann and Rachmaninoff for the Centaur label, as well as several projects for the Steinway Spirio catalogue.

Program Information:

• Rachmaninoff: Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 5 (Fantaisie-tableaux
• Liszt: Les Preludes, S. 637
• Rachmaninoff: Suite No. 2, Op. 17

Eden Chen

Sunday, Nov. 8 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket Required

Register for Eden Chen

Pianist Eden Chen has performed in major concert halls across Europe, North America and Asia, "enthralling audiences with fluid performances and fingers that dance upon, rather than play, the piano" (Leeds Living). Recognized internationally by leading classical institutions, Chen channels his distinctive musicianship toward synthesizing wonder and unity from fragments of culture across today's multipolar world. At The Juilliard School under Hung-Kuan Chen, Chen earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, receiving the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship. He is an alum of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and is a Young Steinway Artist.

Program Information: Chen will perform a solo recital of works from his upcoming PENTATONE album, "Memory's Atlas," to include Ravel's "Le Tombeau de Couperin" paired with original arrangements of electronic works by Ryuichi Sakamoto, along with Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue for Solo Piano."

Pierre Réach

Sunday, Feb. 14 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket Required

Register for Pierre Réach

Pierre Réach's career spans three distinct roles: concert performer, internationally renowned teacher and organizer of artistic events, reflecting his constant desire to help and promote young talents and French musicians. Réach has performed recitals and concerts throughout Europe, Japan, the United States, Israel, Russia, China and South Korea. In his vast repertoire, ranging from Bach to Messiaen, he is considered one of the finest interpreters of Bach's Goldberg Variations. He has recorded several CDs, including all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. Réach has been a Steinway Artist since 1982.

Program Information: Program to include selected works of Beethoven.

Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle

Sunday, March 21 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket Required

Register for Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle

Drawing their artistic strength from a shared spirit of curiosity, risk-taking and exploration, Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle are inseparable pianists, a duo united on stage as in life. In more than 15 years of performing together, they have forged an exceptional artistic partnership, founded on instinctive listening, shared breathing and a common musical vision. Described as "sensational pianists" (Fanfare), praised for their "brilliant, joyful playing" (Diapason) and admired for the way they "cultivate duality in a supernatural dimension" (Le Monde), Berlinskaya and Ancelle have earned an international reputation for performances that combine virtuosity with refinement, intellectual curiosity with communicative energy. Critics have repeatedly highlighted the extraordinary unity of their playing, noting that their synchronization creates "the impression of being only one player" (MusicWeb International).

Program Information:

• Prokofiev: Cinderella (tr. Pletnev)
• Babin: "The Piper of Polmood"
• Shostakovich: Concertino, Op. 94
• Tsfasman: Jazz Suite

Tri-C Classical Piano Series Venue Information

Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115

Free parking in Lot 5 (corner of East 30th Street and Woodland Avenue). Take Elevator 5 or the stairs to the first floor to access the Auditorium entrance.

Series Contact Information

Tri-C Classical Piano Series
Cuyahoga Community College
MAM 204
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115