PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL IS DEDICATED TO PRESENTING THE FINEST PIANISTS IN THE WORLD IN RECITAL SETTINGS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENRICHING AND EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY.

The idea for Portland Piano International was conceived and launched by pianist Harold Gray, who had arrived at Portland State University in 1977 as a member of The Florestan Trio, the university’s ensemble-in-residence. With the help of business manager Nina Lowry, he started a series at PSU devoted to the piano recital that quickly grew from four, to five, to six recitals each season. Across the country other recital series were closing their doors, but before long the PSU Piano Recital Series was selling out regularly and audiences were clamoring for more.

In 1991, with Nina Lowry retiring to a new life in France, Pat Zagelow assumed management responsibilities as Executive Director. By 1995, Saturday night recitals had been added to the sold out Sunday recitals, and Lori Fitch had joined the team as Operations Manager. An Advisory Board of ten people was formed in the same year to assist in fundraising efforts and to provide guidance to the Series. In 1999, an annual summer festival was added to present even more recitals, along with a diverse array of master classes, lectures, and films.

In March 2005, an independent non-profit organization was formed under the name Portland Piano International to carry on the fine tradition established by the Piano Recital Series, but separate from Portland State University. Portland Piano International includes the same Executive Director that has managed the PSU Series since 1991, the same Artistic Director that has guided the PSU Series since its inception, and a governing board that includes all the people who were on the PSU Series Advisory Board since 1995.

In the past twenty-eight years, this Series has presented over one hundred fifty artists in recitals and outreach activities. Some of the greatest artists in the world of music— Emanuel Ax, John Browning, Shura Cherkassky, Bella Davidovich, Misha Dichter, Vladimir Feltsman, Peter Frankl, Richard Goode, Radu Lupu, Murray Perahia, Peter Serkin, Andras Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida—have played for Portland audiences because of this organization. While pianists have many opportunities to play the concerto repertoire, this is one of only a handful of recital series remaining devoted to the solo piano recital, and invitations to appear on the series are highly prized. Lorin Hollander spoke for many people when he said, “It is wonderful to have such a treasure as the Piano Recital Series!”

Over the years the series has developed into a nationally recognized program and is highly respected for its high artistic quality and sound management. Recordings of concerts are heard regularly on American Public Media’s “Performance Today,” and an article about the success of the series was published in the May 1998 issue of the national publication, Piano & Keyboard Magazine. Portland Piano International is a vital part of Portland’s quality cultural life and has consistently garnered praise from both the local and national media, calling it “one of Portland’s most valued cultural happenings” (Piano and Keyboard Magazine), “the consistently brilliant Piano Recital Series” (Willamette Week), and “one of this city’s musical treasures” (The Oregonian).