About
This summer, the City will come alive with the sound of music as the Walled City Music International Academy launches its highly anticipated 2025 programme.
Over the course of eight dynamic days, the city will host 30 exceptional young pianists from across the globe, all set to train, perform, and compete under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty of master musicians.
Led by Academy Director and Derry native, Cathal Breslin, the Academy promises a packed programme of concerts, competitions, masterclasses, lectures, and workshops, offering unparalleled development opportunities for the next generation of piano stars.
WCM International Academy: The Piano Reimagined
Friday 11th July | 7.00pm | The Great Hall, Ulster University Magee
The 2025 Walled City Music International Academy opens with an exciting evening dedicated to the artistry and versatility of the solo piano.
Five accomplished pianists present a wide-ranging programme that explores the instrument’s expressive power through both well-known masterworks and lesser-performed gems. From the clarity and structure of Haydn to the emotional depth of Rachmaninov, and the rich harmonic language of Medtner, the concert highlights the piano’s ability to speak across styles and eras.
The programme also includes selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, the monumental Chaconne by Bach-Busoni, and a compelling set of contemporary vignettes inspired by the poetry of Federico García Lorca, featuring music by Frederic Rzewski, Robert Helps and George Crumb.
Performers include Chu-Fang Huang, Ghadeer Abaido, Xiaofeng Wu, Cathal Breslin (Academy Director), and Svetozar Ivanov – international artists and mentors at this year’s Academy.
This opening concert offers an exciting start to the 2025 programme, showcasing a diverse range of piano repertoire performed by world-class soloists, a real treat for piano and music fans alike.
WCM International Academy: The Piano Multiplied
Wednesday 16th July | 7.00pm | Christ Church, Infirmary Road
Featuring seven distinguished pianists across a range of ensemble configurations, this programme explores the joy and complexity of piano duets and group performance, from four hands to eight.
The programme features a rich variety of works for multiple pianists at one instrument – with combinations for four, six and even eight hands. Highlights include music by Melanie Bonis, Franz Schubert, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Albert Lavignac, showcasing both the technical brilliance and the playful energy of ensemble piano repertoire.
Performers include Therese Fahy, Chu-Fang Huang, Cathal Breslin (Academy Director), Xiaofeng Wu, Ksenia Nosikova, Svetozar Ivanov, and Ghadeer Abaido – all internationally recognised artists and faculty members of this year’s Academy.
This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the piano in ensemble form, combining precision, energy and shared musical expression!
WCM International Academy: Competition Finale
Friday 18th July | 7.00m | The Great Hall, Ulster University Magee
Who Will Take the Top Prize? The Walled City Music International Academy 2025 concludes with the thrilling International Competition Finale – a showcase of some of the most exciting young pianists on the global stage.
Finalists, selected from a competitive field of emerging artists, will perform in front of a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges made up of Academy Faculty members. This is a unique opportunity to hear the next generation of concert pianists at a pivotal moment in their development, as they compete for top honours.
Expect performances that demonstrate technical command, interpretive depth and artistic maturity across a wide variety of repertoire.
Join us for an evening of exceptional talent and inspiring music – and find out who will be named this year’s competition winner.
