Legendary Pianism with Pianists Maryam Raya and Thomas Osuga

International Stretto Piano Festival Day 1

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.

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.

Josef Hofmann was the diminutive genius whom Rachmaninoff called "the better pianist" and whom Steinway & Sons built custom-narrow keys for. The two pianist-composers were close friends and colleagues who 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.

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.