Pianofest Returns To The Hamptons

For 23 years, Pianofest in the Hamptons has been gracing the East End with classical piano concerts performed by pianists from all over the world. And now, after a season-opening concert this week, Pianofest is back this summer with a whole new series planned for Monday nights at Stony Brook Southampton.

Pianofest director and founder Paul Schenly said that the series is a learning environment first, where students receive daily lessons and even attend each other’s lessons.

“We stress helping each other, rather than competing against each other,” Mr. Schenly explained.

This type of approach is vital to the success of Pianofest, due to how closely the musicians work together and how much time they spend together, Mr. Schenly reported. He added that a large house in East Hampton furnished with 10 grand pianos is where all the teaching and learning takes place.

Pianist Mikael Darmanie, who grew up Trinidad and Tobago and began playing piano 13 years ago at the age of 12, is participating in Pianofest for the second time, he said. The reason for his return? It’s “an amazing experience,” he said during a phone interview last Wednesday.

“We have really great pianos here,” Mr. Darmanie said. “There is never a quiet moment.”

Competition is stiff to get into Pianofest. Pianists who wish to participate must send audition DVDs and only a small group is chosen.

Broken down into two eight-week sessions, the festival welcomes 14 musicians for the first four weeks and 12 for the following four weeks. This year there will be pianists from Japan, Thailand, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, the United States and more.

When asked what he appreciates most about Pianofest compared to other festivals, Mr. Darmanie said it’s the balance. “Other festivals are more impersonal, but with Pianofest we eat many meals together, we practice together. It’s very communal and then of course, the beach is right there,” he explained.

Since its inception in 1989, Pianofest has become more and more popular among Hamptons residents, but Mr. Schenly said he remembers when it wasn’t as acknowledged.

“I had to spend a summer in New York and I fell in love with the nature and the beauty of the Hamptons and so I thought this would be a wonderful place, not only to enjoy the sunsets, but to also enjoy music,” Mr. Schenly said. “The first year, we gave a concert to an audience of about 12 people. But it has continued to grow from there.”

According to Mr. Schenly, the goal of Pianofest is to try and reach out to the audience members and help them relate to the music. With commentary throughout the performances and an opportunity to meet the artists, Mr. Schenly said he hopes the audience can feel more connected to the music.

The youngest pianist in the group, Elizabeth Strickland, who is 19 and hails from Oregon, started playing the piano at the age of 6. Returning for her second summer with Pianofest, she also raved about the noncompetitive environment created by the festival.

“You study and work hard, but there is no pressure to be the best,” Ms. Strickland said. “It’s a friendly and lively atmosphere.”

Mr. Schenly credited the pianists, and those who attend the performances, with the success of the annual festival.

“I have a terrific group of people that support Pianofest and the biggest reward has been all the friends that we make, including the pianists themselves,” Mr. Schenly said. “There’s never enough good music.”

Pianofest concerts will be held every Monday through August 8, at 4:30 p.m. at the Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton. The next concert will be held on June 27. Pianofest’s benefit event, “We Love a Piano,” will be held on July 23 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Southampton Historical Museum. A special concert will be given on July 27 at 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton.

For more information, visit pianofest.com or call 329-9115.