Legendary Pianism with Pianists Maryam Raya and Thomas Osuga

International Stretto Piano Festival Day 1

Narrow Keys, Broad Minds, No Boundaries

View all the 2024 International Stretto Piano Festival concerts HERE!

Join virtuoso pianists Maryam Raya and Thomas Osuga for an evening of great music by legendary composers who wrote brilliantly for the piano, with special guest performances by violinist Sho Omagari and friends.

Raya’s beautiful presentations of the piano music of Josef Hofmann are celebrated by The International Stretto Piano Festival especially since Hofmann was the diminutive genius for whom Steinway & Sons built custom-narrow keys. Rachmaninoff called him "the better pianist" and the two pianist-composers were close friends and colleagues. The pair lived in a time when innovation and shared in-person musical spaces were the norm and the necessity, something we all can learn and progress from in our exciting and fast digital age.

Osuga has assembled a piano quintet to present a challenging movement of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, something that many pianists cannot easily play because of the large hand stretches. The composer was 6’6” and reached 13ths on the piano. A Stretto piano assists anyone with hands smaller than Rachmaninoff’s to have more ease and control while playing his music.

Audience members will be invited to the stage to try the stretto Steinway grand piano, one by one, under the supervision of the staff and festival administration.

Program:

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Moment Musiceaux Op. 64 No. 1, 4, and 6

Thomas Osuga, piano

Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Third Movement: Finale Alla breve

Thomas Osuga with violinists Sho Omagari and Jihyun Baik, violist Yujie Wang, and cellist Ben Larsen

Intermission

Josef Hofmann: 4 Charakterskizzen, Op. 40 [Character Sketches]

1. Vision

2. Jadis

3. Nenien

4. Kaleidoskop

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Preludes, Op. 32

No. 12 in G sharp minor

No. 13 D-flat Major

Maryam Raya, piano

Maryam Raya is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist and entrepreneur based in New York. Described as “a first-rate pianist with a strong technical command and physical approach” (The National Film Awards) and a “Complete Artist of the 21st Century,” (Info Music France), Maryam Raya has performed recitals worldwide, including in England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Malta, Spain, China, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Dubai, and in world-renowned venues across the United States such as New York’s Stern Auditorium, multiple international embassies, among others. She studied with former professors from the Moscow Conservatory and St. Petersburg Conservatory, leading to her first performance at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. She possesses a diverse and eclectic repertoire, including over thirty piano concerti, as well as many virtuoso works of history’s most legendary pianists. A graduate of the world renowned SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy, Maryam Raya also possesses degrees in business management and comparative literature.

An internationally acclaimed solo and chamber artist, pianist, Thomas Osuga garners accolades for his “prodigious talent” “Magnificent Interpretation(s)” and “Tour de force” performances. Founder of Aurista Chamber Music featured at IMPACT NYU, American Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully, Yale Club, JCCs, Youngstown State University (OH), and Betty Oliphant (Toronto). Nominated by the Cleveland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League as Japanese American of the Biennium for JA piano repertory. On faculty at InterHarmony International Music Festival in Piedmont, Italy this coming July 16-28th, 2024 and Golden Keys Vienna 2023. Thomas curated at Puffin’s On the Rise festival (NJ) and Trattoria Machiavelli (NYC) presenting classical & jazz all day/night. Recordings for Capstone, Legacy and Coronet. Adjudicator for competitions for Lincoln Center/Carnegie Hall. His students are consistent competition winners. Performances at Hunter College Campus Schools (upcoming “SpongeBob” production 94th and Park Ave. NYC May 2024) and on piano/chamber music faculties at Collegiate School, Mannes The New School (NYC) and runs an active private piano studio.