Sechelt is home to one of the best classical concert presenters in the country - the Coast Recital Society. February 27,28 and March 1 the CRS presents a brand new venture called PIANOFEST- an exciting opportunity to hear three of the world’s finest pianists in a weekend festival format.

Among them is Janina Fialkowska who has made her home in Augsburg, Germany for over 10 years. It serves as the base for an international career that involves performing, teaching master classes and mentoring young pianists.

Joining Janina for our first-ever festival are two other brilliant Canadian musicians - both of whom have studied with her in Germany.

The phenomenal Calgary pianist Kevin Chen, who opens the festival Friday, February 27, recently took second prize in the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw - considered the Olympics of the music world. To be among the winners is to become an instant international musical star.

Kevin joins Charles Richard-Hamelin, a former Chopin competition winner, whose recordings have won a slew of awards, who performs Saturday, Feb. 28. Janina Fialkowska offers her recital Sunday, March 1.

“I’m especially delighted to welcome Janina Fialkowska, a national cultural treasure who became a protege of Arthur Rubenstein, the legendary pianist who launched her career in the mid-70s. She plays with a lyricism that is simply exquisite.”“This is a dream come true for me,” says the CRS’s Artistic Director, Denise Ball. “All three of these artists are personal favourites.

Ball expects PIANOFEST to attract music lovers from well beyond the Sunshine Coast,

”It’ll be a great weekend break,“ she says. ”Come Friday morning, hear all three matinee recitals and return home late Sunday afternoon. What could be better?“

For ticket information, please email office@coastrecitalsociety.org. Additional information can be found at www.coastrecitalsociety.ca.