Bolzano Festival Bozen 2026 - Martha Argerich & Lilya Zilberstein

When Martha Argerich and Lilya Zilberstein take the stage together, two artists meet whose musical paths are bound to Bolzano in a very particular way: both won first prize at the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition – Martha Argerich in 1957 and Lilya Zilberstein three decades later, in 1987.

Since then, both have established themselves as soloists of world renown, performing with leading orchestras and conductors while nurturing a deep passion for chamber music. Martha Argerich in particular is known for her aversion to solo recitals and the "solitude" of the piano, and for years has performed regularly alongside Lilya Zilberstein.

In 2011, both pianists served on the jury of the Busoni Competition and appeared together for the last time in this combination in Bolzano, at a sold-out gala concert. Their return today as a seasoned duo to the city that marks a defining chapter in both their careers gives this evening a truly special resonance.

The programme includes Busoni's arrangement of Mozart's Fantasy, Schumann's Canonic Studies in Claude Debussy's version for two pianos, and works by Milhaud and Rachmaninoff.

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. Ferruccio Busoni, 1922) – Fantasy in F minor, KV 608

Robert Schumann (arr. Claude Debussy) – 6 Canonic Studies, op. 56

Darius Milhaud – Scaramouche, op. 165b

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances, op. 45a

Piano: Martha Argerich & Lilya Zilberstein