Piano Festival 2026
Browse the packed schedule of concerts and masterclasses of the Oxford Piano Festival 2026, taking place from Saturday 25 July to Sunday 2 August.
View the full masterclass schedule here. All masterclasses take place at JdP Music Building, St Hilda’s College.
Welcome from Marios Papadopoulos
Artistic Director
I would like to pay tribute to our Patron Alfred Brendel who sadly passed away in the summer. His legacy as one of the most prolific and revered musical figures the world has ever seen and his dedication to and support of our Piano Festival will endure in our memories forever. We are immensely honoured that Murray Perahia, another legendary musician of equal standing, has accepted to become the Festival’s Patron.
The programme in this year’s Festival features works in the piano literature that are rich in conveying the power of music and its ability to speak to us all through the instrument. No less than seven internationally renowned pianists, each with a very distinct voice, will be exploring music of various styles and periods. Steven Osborne and Paul Lewis bring music from the First Viennese School in recitals at Christ Church Cathedral and the Sheldonian Theatre respectively, whilst Argentinean pianist Ingrid Fliter returns to the Festival with an all-Chopin programme at the Holywell Music Room.
Richard Goode is a pianist of great distinction and his recital will take us through a journey of musical discovery as he explores the central European repertoire across the centuries.
Isata Kanneh-Mason and Theodosia Ntokou are a new generation of pianists bringing fresh perspectives and introducing new audiences to classical music, the latter in a performance of Grieg’s iconic concerto with the Oxford Philharmonic in the Sheldonian Theatre.
Another pianist that never fails to rouse strong feelings and passion is Elisabeth Leonskaja, who will unlock the simple yet profound wisdoms of Schubert’s late piano music.
Whilst these extraordinary concerts will provide stimulating and thrilling musical experiences, we must not forget the main focus of our Oxford Piano Festival: nurturing young talent. Such is the international reputation of our Academy Programme that for each available place, we receive 10 applications for a chance to study with some of the world’s most eminent artists and pedagogues in an intensive programme of daily masterclasses, all open to the public. Those attending as participants, will enjoy unique experiences as we impart our knowledge and experience on their inquisitive minds and open new horizons for them.
I look forward to welcoming pianists, teachers, piano-enthusiasts and the wider public to what I am sure will be another stimulating week of musical discovery.

Upcoming Events
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Alon Goldstein Masterclass
25 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreSteven Osborne
25 Jul 2026 – 19:30
The towering pianistic talent that is Steven Osborne opens the festival at Christ Church Cathedral with two standout masterpieces of the Viennese school.
Learn MoreKathryn Stott Masterclass
26 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreIngrid Fliter
26 Jul 2026 – 19:30
Ingrid Fliter comes to the Oxford Piano Festival with a recital of the Chopin’s music in the Holywell Music Room.
Learn MoreIngrid Fliter Masterclass
27 Jul 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreKathryn Stott Masterclass
27 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MorePaul Lewis
27 Jul 2026 – 19:30
Festival favourite Paul Lewis returns with a programme framed by two of Mozart’s most appealing piano sonatas.
Learn MorePaul Lewis Masterclass
28 Jul 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreStephen Kovacevich Masterclass
28 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano. The repertoire list for the masterclasses will be available to view from 17 July 2026 on our website.
Learn MoreIsata Kanneh-Mason
28 Jul 2026 – 19:30
Isata Kanneh-Mason, a truly exceptional pianist of huge nuance and expression, returns to this year’s festival with a recital bookended by Beethoven.
Learn MoreMomoro Ono Masterclass
29 Jul 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRustem Hayroudinoff Masterclass
29 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreElisabeth Leonskaja
29 Jul 2026 – 19:30
An icon among pianists, Elisabeth Leonskaja, comes to the festival to traverse Schubert’s world.
Learn MoreElisabeth Leonskaja Masterclass
30 Jul 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreIan Jones Masterclass
30 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreGrieg Piano Concerto
30 Jul 2026 – 19:30
The festival is thrilled to present one of the most exciting emerging instrumental talents, Greek pianist Theodosia Ntokou.
Learn MoreMarios Papadopoulos Masterclass
31 Jul 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreMarios Papadopoulos Masterclass
31 Jul 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRichard Goode
31 Jul 2026 – 19:30
A programme that fascinates on every level from pianists’ pianist, Richard Goode.
Learn MoreVanessa Latarche Masterclass
01 Aug 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRichard Goode Masterclass
01 Aug 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreParticipants’ Recital
01 Aug 2026 – 19:30
The Festival’s participants take to the stage with fresh guidance from the world’s most esteemed pianists echoing in their ears.
Learn MoreArie Vardi Masterclass
02 Aug 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreAlon Goldstein Masterclass
Jul 25 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreSteven Osborne
Jul 25 2026 – 19:30
The towering pianistic talent that is Steven Osborne opens the festival at Christ Church Cathedral with two standout masterpieces of the Viennese school.
Learn MoreKathryn Stott Masterclass
Jul 26 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreIngrid Fliter
Jul 26 2026 – 19:30
Ingrid Fliter comes to the Oxford Piano Festival with a recital of the Chopin’s music in the Holywell Music Room.
Learn MoreIngrid Fliter Masterclass
Jul 27 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreKathryn Stott Masterclass
Jul 27 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MorePaul Lewis
Jul 27 2026 – 19:30
Festival favourite Paul Lewis returns with a programme framed by two of Mozart’s most appealing piano sonatas.
Learn MorePaul Lewis Masterclass
Jul 28 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreStephen Kovacevich Masterclass
Jul 28 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano. The repertoire list for the masterclasses will be available to view from 17 July 2026 on our webs
Learn MoreIsata Kanneh-Mason
Jul 28 2026 – 19:30
Isata Kanneh-Mason, a truly exceptional pianist of huge nuance and expression, returns to this year’s festival with a recital bookended by Beethoven.
Learn MoreMomoro Ono Masterclass
Jul 29 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRustem Hayroudinoff Masterclass
Jul 29 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreElisabeth Leonskaja
Jul 29 2026 – 19:30
An icon among pianists, Elisabeth Leonskaja, comes to the festival to traverse Schubert’s world.
Learn MoreElisabeth Leonskaja Masterclass
Jul 30 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreIan Jones Masterclass
Jul 30 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreGrieg Piano Concerto
Jul 30 2026 – 19:30
The festival is thrilled to present one of the most exciting emerging instrumental talents, Greek pianist Theodosia Ntokou.
Learn MoreMarios Papadopoulos Masterclass
Jul 31 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreMarios Papadopoulos Masterclass
Jul 31 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRichard Goode
Jul 31 2026 – 19:30
A programme that fascinates on every level from pianists’ pianist, Richard Goode.
Learn MoreVanessa Latarche Masterclass
Aug 01 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreRichard Goode Masterclass
Aug 01 2026 – 14:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn MoreParticipants’ Recital
Aug 01 2026 – 19:30
The Festival’s participants take to the stage with fresh guidance from the world’s most esteemed pianists echoing in their ears.
Learn MoreArie Vardi Masterclass
Aug 02 2026 – 09:30
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from some of the world’s leading authorities on piano.
Learn More
get involved
Piano Festival participants and observers are a core part of the Oxford Piano Festival, and we are proud to welcome applications from performers and enthusiasts across the globe.