Vienna, the Piano and the Art of Reinvention
On 16 and 17 October, Piano Revenge brings its independent vision of contemporary piano to Vienna. Ten artists, two evenings and a single instrument that continues to defy definition.
When the Piano Refuses to Stand Still
Welcome to VIA – Piano & Arts Center, the stage where Piano Revenge Days Vienna 2026 begins its next chapter.
Vienna | 16-17 October 2026 🎟️ Tickets & Info: https://pianorevengedaysvienna.rsvpify.com/
When the Piano Refuses to Stand Still
Vienna has long been associated with the piano. Yet the instrument’s future belongs not only to its illustrious past, but also to those willing to question what it can become.
On 16 and 17 October 2026, Piano Revenge Days arrives in Vienna with precisely this spirit. Hosted at VIA – Piano & Arts Center, the event brings together ten artists for two evenings of contemporary piano, experimentation and artistic exchange. It is an invitation to listen beyond familiar boundaries and to discover how many different identities a single instrument can assume.
For Piano Revenge, the piano has never been simply a symbol of musical heritage. It is a living instrument, capable of absorbing new influences, embracing unexpected forms and giving a voice to artists who refuse to fit into established categories.
A city of tradition meets a festival of independence
There is a particular significance to bringing Piano Revenge Days to Vienna. In a city whose musical identity is inseparable from the piano, the festival proposes a conversation between heritage and reinvention.
Its setting is equally meaningful. VIA – Piano & Arts Center, at Salztorgasse 5, is a creative space curated by Anastasia Starostina and Alexey Rojas Peskov, where music, visual art, instruments and artistic exchange intersect. The presence of PH Pianos, with its distinctive approach to piano craftsmanship and design, adds another dimension to this encounter.
The result is a setting in which the piano can be experienced not merely as a concert instrument, but as an object of artistic exploration and a meeting point for different creative disciplines.
A creative home for the piano: VIA, Alex, Anastasia and PH Pianos
The Vienna edition also offers an opportunity to discover the creative vision behind VIA – Piano & Arts Center, founded and curated by Alexey Rojas Peskov and Anastasia Starostina. Their approach to the space goes beyond the traditional idea of a concert venue, bringing together music, artistic encounters and a broader cultural perspective.
Piano Revenge MAG has already had the pleasure of interviewing Alex and Anastasia, exploring their ideas, their work and the philosophy behind VIA. Their contribution to the Vienna event is particularly meaningful: it creates a meeting point between the festival’s independent spirit and a space shaped by its own artistic identity.
An equally important part of this creative environment is PH Pianos, whose presence brings the instrument itself into focus. Beyond its practical role in the concerts, the piano becomes part of the artistic experience, reflecting the relationship between craftsmanship, design and musical expression. The collaboration between VIA, PH Pianos and Piano Revenge creates a setting in which the instrument is appreciated not only for the music it produces, but also for its artistic and cultural significance.
Two evenings, ten artistic identities
The Vienna programme unfolds over two evenings, each with its own character and musical trajectory.
16 October — Contrasts, Energy & New Perspectives:
Girolamo Parisi, Sonic Twins, Ron Adelaar, Anna Bondareva and Matthew Mayer open the festival with a programme that moves between contrasting musical sensibilities.
From the Southern Italian influences of Girolamo Parisi to the electronic energy of Sonic Twins, the evening explores the possibilities of bringing seemingly distant musical worlds into dialogue. Ron Adelaar’s meditative compositions provide a different perspective, while Anna Bondareva’s virtuosic approach introduces an element of intensity and dramatic expression. Matthew Mayer completes the evening with an improvisational language driven by curiosity and spontaneity.
Rather than pursuing a single aesthetic, the programme embraces the tension between stillness and energy, structure and freedom.
17 October — Atmosphere, Experimentation & Emotion:
The second evening features Maxime Marquette, Saah, Dennis Korn, Gabriel Berdichevski and Diego Spitaleri.
Here, the piano becomes a space for storytelling, atmosphere and emotional exploration. Maxime Marquette revisits classical influences through new musical narratives. Saah creates atmospheric soundscapes, while Dennis Korn brings an intimate, emotionally charged dimension to the programme.
Gabriel Berdichevski adds a cinematic sensibility, followed by Diego Spitaleri, whose music carries the warmth and expressive character of the Mediterranean.
Together, these artists offer a second perspective on contemporary piano, moving between introspection, experimentation and expressive intensity.
Beyond the conventional concert
What distinguishes Piano Revenge is not simply the diversity of its programme, but the philosophy behind it.
As an independent festival, Piano Revenge seeks to create opportunities for artists whose musical languages may not always find a natural place within conventional concert structures. It is committed to new piano music in its broadest sense, embracing neoclassical composition, improvisation, experimentation and contemporary approaches to performance.
Its programme is built around artistic individuality rather than a single stylistic definition. Each musician brings a distinct perspective, and the encounter between these perspectives is an essential part of the festival’s identity.
Vienna is another chapter in this ongoing initiative: an opportunity to bring together musicians from different backgrounds and invite audiences to experience the piano without preconceived expectations.
The spirit of Piano Revenge
At the heart of the festival lies a simple but demanding ambition: to make new piano music accessible to a wider audience while preserving the artistic independence that makes it possible.
Piano Revenge Days Vienna continues this approach through two evenings devoted to discovery, dialogue and the freedom of musical expression. It also reflects the festival’s wider commitment to building connections between artists, cultural spaces and audiences across national borders.
The piano may be one of the most familiar instruments in Western musical culture, but its story is far from complete. Every new artistic encounter offers the possibility of hearing it differently.
On 16 and 17 October, Vienna will become the setting for precisely such an encounter.
Piano Revenge Days Vienna 2026
Dates: 16–17 October 2026
Venue: VIA – Piano & Arts Center
Address: Salztorgasse 5/L2, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Tickets & Info: https://pianorevengedaysvienna.rsvpify.com/
Event details: https://pianorevenge.art/pianorevenge-days-vienna/
