Westhuizen Duo: Music for Piano Four Hands

The Westhuizen Duo performs music for piano four-hands by Schubert, Dvorak, Faure, Ravel, and Poulenc at the 2024 PYPA Piano Festival in Philadelphia.

Schubert Fantasia in F Minor, D. 940

Dvorak Legends (selections)

Faure Dolly Suite, Op. 56

Ravel Ma mère l'Oye

Poulenc Sonata for Piano Four Hands

Pierre and Sophié van der Westhuizen, pianos

The Westhuizen Duo’s performances have been described as “…music-making that rewards you seventy times seven.” They have been hailed by audiences and critics alike for their “…excellent sensitivity for each other,” combined with playing that is “…charming, lyrical, and brilliant…” (Volksblad, South Africa).

Their performances have been heard on WCLV (Cleveland), ClassicFm (South Africa), Radio Sonder Grense (SA), WGTE (Toledo), WYSU, and WFMT (Chicago). Their interest in new music has led to premiere performances of works written for the duo by young composers, and they enjoy taking part in new music festivals. Highlights include performances and guest teaching at major South African festivals, as well as others in the USA such as Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago (broadcast live on NPR and PBS Television), Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory’s Bach Festival, Cleveland Institute of Music’s Summer Sonata Festival, Gilmore Keysfest, College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Colorado International Piano Festival, Chautauqua Piano Institute, Kent State University Keyboard Series, and Cleveland Art Song Festival, among others. They also made their New York debut at Steinway Hall in 2017.

Pierre has served as juror for several international competitions, including the Cleveland, Scriabin (Italy), MozArte (Germany), and UNISA (South Africa), and serves on the board of the Philadelphia young Pianists Academy, as well as the Honorary Committee for Astral Artists (Philadelphia) and the Advisory Board for the Avery Fisher Career Grants in New York.

The Westhuizen Duo resides in Kalamazoo, MI, where Pierre is the Executive & Artistic Director of the Gilmore International Piano Festival and Award. Prior to this, he served as President of the Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC). Sophié joined the faculty of Kalamazoo College, as well as the faculty of Interlochen Arts Academy’s Summer institute, and maintains a large private teaching studio. She has also held the position Director of ArtsConnect, the community outreach program for the CIPC, and also taught at Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Music Settlement. They both previously served on the faculty of Heidelberg University as Assistant Professors of Piano and Co-coordinators of the Keyboard Division.

The Westhuizen Duo are Steinway Artists.

The 2024 PYPA Piano Festival is coming back to Philadelphia in the summer of 2024! We have prepared 9 days of in-person events, including concerts, masterclasses, and the Philadelphia International Competition from July 27-August 4, 2024!

PYPA Summer Piano Festival was founded in 2013. For the first five years, the festival took place at the Curtis Institute of Music, and since 2018, it has been in residence at the historic Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

Each summer, the piano festival offers an intensive nine-day program that encompasses master classes, lectures, and concerts performed by international renowned pianists, as well as PYPA young artists. The Summer Piano Festival also presents the annual Philadelphia International Piano Competition.

Host or Publisher PYPA Piano Festival